8 research outputs found
Synaptic vesicles studied by small-angle x-ray scattering
No full textSoftcover, 17x24The heterogeneous structure of synaptic vesicles isolated from rat brain is investigated considering solution small-angle x-ray scattering data in combination with data obtained by cryogenic electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and biochemical analysis. Overall low resolution structural models of the entire functional synaptic vesicle are proposed, elucidating details on the density profile of the membrane, including contributions from the lipids and the proteins, as well as addressing the average conformation and overall lateral organization of proteins in micro-domains on the average synaptic vesicle under quasi-physiological conditions. Entropic contributions to free energy due to possible protein cluster formation and disintegration on the synaptic vesicle are investigated. Further, cell free fusion systems are characterized employing dynamic light scattering and applicability of small-angle x-ray scattering is considered for investigating membrane fusion processes
Measuring Ca2+-Induced Structural Changes in Lipid Monolayers: Implications for Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis
No full textAbstractSynaptic vesicles (SVs) are small, membrane-bound organelles that are found in the synaptic terminal of neurons. Although tremendous progress has been made in understanding the protein machinery that drives fusion of SVs with the presynaptic membrane, little progress has been made in understanding changes in the membrane structure that accompany this process. We used lipid monolayers of defined composition to mimic biological membranes, which were probed by x-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction. These techniques allowed us to successfully monitor structural changes in the membranes at molecular level, both in response to injection of SVs in the subphase below the monolayer, as well as to physiological cues involved in neurotransmitter release, such as increases in the concentration of the membrane lipid PIP2, or addition of physiological levels of Ca2+. Such structural changes may well modulate vesicle fusion in vivo
Structure Parameters of Synaptic Vesicles Quantified by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering
No full textSynaptic vesicles (SVs) are small, membrane-bound organelles that are found in the synaptic terminal of neurons, and which are crucial in neurotransmission. After a rise in internal [Ca(2+)] during neuronal stimulation, SVs fuse with the plasma membrane releasing their neurotransmitter content, which then signals neighboring neurons. SVs are subsequently recycled and refilled with neurotransmitter for further rounds of release. Recently, tremendous progress has been made in elucidating the molecular composition of SVs, as well as putative protein-protein interactions. However, what is lacking is an empirical description of SV structure at the supramolecular level-which is necessary to enable us to fully understand the processes of membrane fusion, retrieval, and recycling. Using small-angle x-ray scattering, we have directly investigated the size and structure of purified SVs. From this information, we deduced detailed size and density parameters for the protein layers responsible for SV function, as well as information about the lipid bilayer. To achieve a convincing model fit, a laterally anisotropic structure for the protein shell is needed, as a rotationally symmetric density profile does not explain the data. Not only does our model confirm many of the preexisting ideas concerning SV structure, but also for the first time, to our knowledge, it indicates structural refinements, such as the presence of protein microdomains
In Vitro Study of Interaction of Synaptic Vesicles With Lipid Membranes
No full textThe fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs) with the plasma membrane in neurons is a crucial step in the release of neurotransmitters, which are responsible for carrying signals between nerve cells. While many of the molecular players involved in this fusion process have been identified, a precise molecular description of their roles in the process is still lacking. A case in point is the plasma membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Although PIP2 is known to be essential for vesicle fusion, its precise role in the process remains unclear. We have re-investigated the role of this lipid in membrane structure and function using the complementary experimental techniques of x-ray reflectivity, both on lipid monolayers at an air–water interface and bilayers on a solid support, and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction on lipid monolayers. These techniques provide unprecedented access to structural information at the molecular level, and detail the profound structural changes that occur in a membrane following PIP2 incorporation. Further, we also confirm and extend previous findings that the association of SVs with membranes is enhanced by PIP2 incorporation, and reveal the structural changes that underpin this phenomenon. Further, the association is further intensified by a physiologically relevant amount of Ca2+ ions in the subphase of the monolayer, as revealed by the increase in interfacial pressure seen with the lipid monolayer system. Finally, a theoretical calculation concerning the products arising from the fusion of these SVs with proteoliposomes is presented, with which we aim to illustrate the potential future uses of this system
Synaptische Vesikel untersucht mittels Kleinwinkel-Röntgenstreuung
No full textDie heterogene Struktur von aus Rattenhirn isolierten Synaptischen Vesikeln wird untersucht mittels Daten aus Kleinwinkel-Röntgenstreuexperimenten unter Berücksichtigung von Daten erhalten durch cryogene Elektronenmikroskopie, dynamische Lichtstreuung und biochemische Analysen. Es werden niedrig aufgelöste Strukturmodelle des funktionellen Synaptischen Vesikels unter quasi-physiologischen Bedingungen vorgeschlagen. Details des Dichteprofils der Membran, einschließlich Beiträgen von Lipiden und Proteinen werden bestimmt. Die typische Konformation und die allgemeine laterale Organisation der Proteine in Mikrodomänen werden ermittelt. Entropische Beiträge zur freien Energie aufgrund möglicher Bildung und Auflösung der Proteinmikrodomänen auf dem Synaptischen Vesikel werden untersucht. Ferner werden zellfreie Fusionssysteme mittels dynamischer Lichtstreudaten charakterisiert und mögliche Anwendungen von Kleinwinkel-Röntgenstreuung für die Untersuchung von Membran-Fusionsprozessen erörtert.The heterogeneous structure of synaptic vesicles isolated from rat brain is investigated considering solution small-angle x-ray scattering data in combination with data obtained by cryogenic electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and biochemical analysis. Overall low resolution structural models of the entire functional synaptic vesicle are proposed, elucidating details on the density profile of the membrane, including contributions from the lipids and the proteins, as well as addressing the average conformation and overall lateral organization of proteins in micro-domains on the average synaptic vesicle under quasi-physiological conditions. Entropic contributions to free energy due to possible protein cluster formation and disintegration on the synaptic vesicle are investigated. Further, cell free fusion systems are characterized employing dynamic light scattering, and applicabilities of small-angle x-ray scattering are considered for investigating membrane fusion processes
Synaptic Vesicles Studied by SAXS: Derivation and Validation of a Model Form Factor
No full textWe discuss different spherically symmetric and anisotropic form factor models and test them against high resolution synchrotron based small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) data from synaptic vesicles (SVs), isolated from rat brain. Anisotropy of the model form factors is found to be a key ingredient for the description of the native synaptic vesicle structure. We describe changes in structural parameters due to protease digestion of SVs, and present SAXS data of SVs recorded under different pH conditions
