The evoked release of neurotransmitter in response to action potential invasion at the presynapse is an essential component of brain function. Neurotransmitter release is controlled by the recycling of synaptic vesicles (SVs), a process that comprises a series of intricate molecular events that are coupled to neuronal activity both temporally and spatially. Because of its critical importance in maintaining the fidelity of neurotransmission, the assumption was that individuals harbouring mutations within key SV recycling genes would not be identified. However strong evidence has emerged that, rather than being incompatible with life, mutations in the most essential of SV recycling genes precipitate a series of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).NDDs are a series of heterogeneous disorders that can be grouped by the presentation of abnormal brain development (Krol &

Presynaptic calcium influx triggers synaptic vesicle (SV) exocytosis and modulates subsequent SV endocytosis. A number of calcium clearance mechanisms are present in central nerve terminals that regulate intracellular free calcium levels both during and after stimulation. During action potential stimulation, mitochondria rapidly accumulate presynaptic calcium via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). The role of mitochondrial calcium uptake in modulating SV recycling has been debated extensively, but a definitive conclusion has not been achieved. To directly address this question, we manipulated the expression of the MCU channel subunit in primary cultures of neurons expressing a genetically encoded reporter of SV turnover. Knockdown of MCU resulted in ablation of activity-dependent mitochondrial calcium uptake but had no effect on the rate or extent of SV exocytosis. In contrast, the rate of SV endocytosis was increased in the absence of mitochondrial calcium uptake and slowed when MCU was overexpressed. MCU knockdown did not perturb activity-dependent increases in presynaptic free calcium, suggesting that SV endocytosis may be controlled by calcium accumulation and efflux from mitochondria in their immediate vicinity.

Synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling is essential for the maintenance of neurotransmission, with a number of neurodevelopmental disorders linked to defects in this process. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) results from a loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) encoded by the FMR1 gene. Hyperexcitability of neuronal circuits is a key feature of FXS, therefore we investigated whether SV recycling was affected by the absence of FMRP during increased neuronal activity. We revealed that primary neuronal cultures from male Fmr1 knock-out (KO) rats display a specific defect in activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE). ADBE is dominant during intense neuronal activity, and this defect resulted in an inability of Fmr1 KO neurons to sustain SV recycling during trains of high-frequency stimulation. Using a molecular replacement strategy, we also revealed that a human FMRP mutant that cannot bind BK channels failed to correct ADBE dysfunction in KO neurons, however this dysfunction was corrected by BK channel agonists. Therefore, FMRP performs a key role in sustaining neurotransmitter release via selective control of ADBE, suggesting intervention via this endocytosis mode may correct the hyperexcitability observed in FXS.

Synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling is essential for the maintenance of neurotransmission, with a number of neurodevelopmental disorders linked to defects in this process. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) results from a loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) encoded by the FMR1 gene. FMRP is an established translation repressor, however it also has translation-independent presynaptic roles, including regulation of the trafficking and function of specific ion channels. Since defects in SV recycling are exacerbated during intense neuronal activity, we investigated whether these events were disproportionately affected by the absence of FMRP. We revealed that primary neuronal cultures from a Fmr1 knockout rat model display a specific defect in activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE). ADBE is dominant during intense neuronal activity, and this defect resulted in an inability of Fmr1 knockout neurons to sustain SV recycling during trains of high frequency stimulation. Using a molecular replacement strategy, we revealed that a human FMRP interaction mutant failed to correct ADBE dysfunction in knockout neurons. Therefore, FMRP performs a key role in sustaining neurotransmitter release via selective control of the endocytosis mode, ADBE.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTLoss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) results in fragile X syndrome (FXS), however whether its loss has a direct role in neurotransmitter release remains a matter of debate. We demonstrate that neurons lacking FMRP display a specific defect in a mechanism that sustains neurotransmitter release during intense neuronal firing, called activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE). This discovery provides key insights into mechanisms of brain communication that occur due to loss of FMRP function. Importantly it also reveals ADBE as a potential therapeutic target to correct the circuit hyperexcitabilty observed in FXS.