Synaptic Vesicle Proteins

Andrew J Bean, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
Thomas A Vida, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA

Published online: July 2003

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0000214

Synaptic transmission underlies much of interneuronal communication and is essential for nervous system function. Small vesicles, initially observed by morphological methods, and abundant in the nerve terminal, are filled with neurotransmitters and fuse with the plasma membrane, enabling secretion into the synaptic cleft. In the last 10 years, molecular details of the synaptic vesicle life cycle have emerged, allowing a more complete understanding of neurotransmitter secretion.

Keywords: vesicle; synapse; SNARE; synaptic transmission

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Related Sub-Topics:

Synaptic Transmission | Membrane Proteins | Protein Structure | Proteins: Structure, Function, Metabolism
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Article Title: Synaptic Vesicle Proteins
 
How to Cite close
Bean, Andrew J, and Vida, Thomas A(Jul 2003) Synaptic Vesicle Proteins. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0000214]