Biomaterial Database

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis at synapses. 2007

Nadja Jung, and Volker Haucke

Department of Membrane Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustrasse 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.

Neurons are communication specialists that convert electrical into chemical signals at specialized cell-cell junctions termed synapses. Arrival of an action potential triggers calcium-regulated exocytosis of neurotransmitter (NT) from small synaptic vesicles (SVs), which then diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to postsynaptic receptors to elicit specific changes within the postsynaptic cell. Endocytosis of pre- and postsynaptic membrane proteins including SV components and postsynaptic NT receptors is essential for the proper functioning of the synapse. During the past several years, we have witnessed enormous progress in our understanding of the mechanics of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and its role in regulating exo-endocytic vesicle cycling at synapses. Here we summarize the molecular machinery used for recognition of synaptic membrane protein cargo and its clathrin-dependent internalization, and describe the inventory of tools that can be used to monitor vesicle cycling at synapses or to inhibit CME in a stage-specific manner.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D004705	Endocytosis	Cellular uptake of extracellular materials within membrane-limited vacuoles or microvesicles. ENDOSOMES play a central role in endocytosis.	Endocytoses
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013569	Synapses	Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions.	Synapse
D013570	Synaptic Membranes	Cell membranes associated with synapses. Both presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are included along with their integral or tightly associated specializations for the release or reception of transmitters.	Membrane, Synaptic,Membranes, Synaptic,Synaptic Membrane
D013572	Synaptic Vesicles	Membrane-bound compartments which contain transmitter molecules. Synaptic vesicles are concentrated at presynaptic terminals. They actively sequester transmitter molecules from the cytoplasm. In at least some synapses, transmitter release occurs by fusion of these vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, followed by exocytosis of their contents.	Synaptic Vesicle,Vesicle, Synaptic,Vesicles, Synaptic
D017981	Receptors, Neurotransmitter	Cell surface receptors that bind signalling molecules released by neurons and convert these signals into intracellular changes influencing the behavior of cells. Neurotransmitter is used here in its most general sense, including not only messengers that act to regulate ion channels, but also those which act on second messenger systems and those which may act at a distance from their release sites. Included are receptors for neuromodulators, neuroregulators, neuromediators, and neurohumors, whether or not located at synapses.	Neurohumor Receptors,Neuromediator Receptors,Neuromodulator Receptors,Neuroregulator Receptors,Receptors, Neurohumor,Receptors, Synaptic,Synaptic Receptor,Synaptic Receptors,Neuromediator Receptor,Neuromodulator Receptor,Neuroregulator Receptor,Neurotransmitter Receptor,Receptors, Neuromediators,Receptors, Neuromodulators,Receptors, Neuroregulators,Receptors, Neurotransmitters,Neuromediators Receptors,Neuromodulators Receptors,Neuroregulators Receptors,Neurotransmitter Receptors,Neurotransmitters Receptors,Receptor, Neuromediator,Receptor, Neuromodulator,Receptor, Neuroregulator,Receptor, Neurotransmitter,Receptor, Synaptic,Receptors, Neuromediator,Receptors, Neuromodulator,Receptors, Neuroregulator
D022163	Clathrin-Coated Vesicles	Vesicles formed when cell-membrane coated pits (COATED PITS, CELL-MEMBRANE) invaginate and pinch off. The outer surface of these vesicles is covered with a lattice-like network of the protein CLATHRIN. Shortly after formation, however, the clathrin coat is removed and the vesicles are referred to as ENDOSOMES.	Clathrin Coated Vesicles,Clathrin-Coated Vesicle,Vesicle, Clathrin-Coated,Vesicles, Clathrin-Coated
D033942	Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport	A class of proteins involved in the transport of molecules via TRANSPORT VESICLES. They perform functions such as binding to the cell membrane, capturing cargo molecules and promoting the assembly of CLATHRIN. The majority of adaptor proteins exist as multi-subunit complexes, however monomeric varieties have also been found.	Clathrin Adaptor,Clathrin Adaptor Protein Complex,Clathrin Assembly Protein,Clathrin Assembly Protein Complex,Clathrin Assembly Proteins,Clathrin-Associated Adaptor,Clathrin-Associated Protein,Vesicular Transport Adaptor Protein,Vesicular Transport Adaptor Protein Complex,Vesicular Transport Adaptor Proteins,Adaptor Protein Complexes, Vesicular Transport,Clathrin Adaptor Protein Complexes,Clathrin Adaptors,Clathrin Assembly Protein Complexes,Clathrin-Associated Adaptors,Clathrin-Associated Proteins,Vesicular Transport Adaptor Protein Complexes,Adaptor, Clathrin,Adaptor, Clathrin-Associated,Adaptors, Clathrin,Adaptors, Clathrin-Associated,Assembly Protein, Clathrin,Assembly Proteins, Clathrin,Clathrin Associated Adaptor,Clathrin Associated Adaptors,Clathrin Associated Protein,Clathrin Associated Proteins,Protein, Clathrin Assembly,Protein, Clathrin-Associated