The structural and functional evidence for vesicular release from astrocytes in situ.

The structural and functional evidence for vesicular release from astrocytes in situ.
Brain Res Bull. 2017 Jan 22;:
Authors: Bohmbach K, Schwarz MK, Schoch S, Henneberger C
Abstract
The concept of the tripartite synapse states that bi-directional signalling between perisynaptic astrocyte processes, presynaptic axonal boutons and postsynaptic neuronal structures defines the properties of synaptic information processing. Ca(2+)-dependent vesicular release from astrocytes, as one of the mechanisms of astrocyte-neuron communication, has attracted particular attention but has also been the subject of intense debate. In neurons, regulated vesicular release is a strongly coordinated process. It requires a complex release machinery comprised of many individual components ranging from vesicular neurotransmitter transporters and soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNARE) proteins to Ca(2+)-sensors and the proteins that spatially and temporally control exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. If astrocytes employ similar mechanisms to release neurotransmitters is less well understood. The aim of this review is therefore to discuss recent experimental evidence that sheds light on the central structural components responsible for vesicular release from astrocytes in situ.
PMID: 28122264 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Brain Research Bulletin - January 21, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Bohmbach K, Schwarz MK, Schoch S, Henneberger C Tags: Brain Res Bull Source Type: research