Structure of the Synapse

Heuser, John E.; Reese, Thomas S.

doi:10.1002/cphy.cp010108

Cited by 55 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 238 publications

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“…In other systems where ribbon synapses are found, for example, the organ of Corti (Gulley & Reese, 1977) and the vestibular epithelium (Bagger-Sj6b~ck & Gulley, 1979), freeze-fracture studies showed that the presynaptic membrane exhibited P-face particles whereas the postsynaptic membrane contained E-face IMPs. Recent studies of a variety of chemical synapses (reviewed in Heuser & Reese, 1979) show that at some cholinergic excitatory synapses, for example, neuromuscular junction and electroplaque, the postsynaptic membrane has P-face particles whereas at other excitatory synapses in the C.N.S., the postsynaptic membrane exhibits E-face particles. Given the diversity of IMP arrays at synapses, we cannot state at present which horizontal cell membrane particles represent the postsynaptic receptor sites.…”

Section: The Medial Gapmentioning

confidence: 99%

A freeze-fracture study of synaptogenesis in the distal retina of larvalXenopus

Nagy

Witkovsky

1981

J Neurocytol

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Synapse formation between photoreceptor, bipolar and horizontal cells of the larval Xenopus retina was studied by the freeze-fracture technique. Photoreceptors and horizontal cells were joined by ribbon synapses; photoreceptor and bipolar cells by basal junctions. Gap junctions were found between photoreceptors and between horizontal cells. Horizontal cell dendrites invaginated receptor bases before the plasma membrane of either cell showed zones of intramembrane (IMP) particle accumulation. Subsequently the receptor cell began to form a synaptic ridge where P-face IMPs aggregated at a protrusion of the surface membrane. The length of the ridge and the density of its IMPs increased between larval stages 40 and 56. Cross-fractured views of receptor cytoplasm at different larval stages showed that synaptic ribbons and synaptic vesicles developed in conjunction with the ridge. Plasmalemmal deformations suggesting sites of vesicle fusion or uptake were noted adjacent to the apex of the ridge. Horizontal cell dendritic membrane first accumulated P-face IMPs at several small regions; subsequently the IMPs became aligned over a broad membrane area. Both rod- and cone-related horizontal cell dendrites also manifested a loose patch of E-face IMPs which subsequently was transformed into a linear array. Basal junctions were characterized by a P-face IMP aggregate in the photoreceptor membrane and an E-face IMP aggregate in the bipolar cell membrane. Basal junctions appeared suddenly in a mature configuration at larval stage 42.

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Section: The Medial Gapmentioning

confidence: 99%

A freeze-fracture study of synaptogenesis in the distal retina of larvalXenopus

Nagy

Witkovsky

1981

J Neurocytol

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“…So does the growing suspicion (Teichberg et al, 1975;Grafstein & Forman, 1980;Holtzman & Mercurio, 1980;LaVail et al, 1980;Tsukita & Ishikawa, 1980) that distinct sets of structures may mediate transport in the two directions along the axon. Also related to these matters are observations suggesting participation of agranular sacs and tubules of still uncertain nature in the origin and cycling of synaptic vesicles in presynaptic terminals (reviewed in : Holtzman, 1977;Heuser & Reese, 1977) and proposals suggesting special relationships of the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum and to axonal transport (Holtzman, 1971;Novikoff, 1976;Lindsey et al, 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and other agranular reticulum in frog retinal photoreceptors

Mercurio

Holtzman

1982

J Neurocytol

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Frog retinal photoreceptors are favourable material for studying a number of unresolved issues concerning the interconnections, three-dimensional organization and functions of intracellular membrane systems in neurons. At least two distinct regions of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) are present in these cells. One region, the subellipsoid SER, is located in rod cells at the base of the mitochondria-rich ellipsoid region, and is comprised of arrays of stacked tubules which exhibit frequent continuities with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). The subellipsoid SER is also present throughout the ellipsoid region and at the apex of the inner segment. The second region of SER, the axonal SER, is comprised of agranular sacs and tubules present in the axons of rod cells, the perinuclear and Golgi regions of rod and cone cells and the synaptic terminals of rod and cone cells. There sacs and tubules exhibit continuities with cisternae of RER and with the nuclear envelope. Serial section analyses indicate that this SER can extend as a continuous networking along the entire length of the rod axons and throughout synaptic terminals. The axonal SER is distinct from the subellipsoid SER not only in location and morphology but also in its ability to bind divalent lead ions, a property it shares with synaptic vesicles, with agranular sacs at one face to the Golgi apparatus and with sacs extending from the Golgi apparatus toward the axons hillock. These latter sacs may serve in transport from the Golgi region to the axon. The axons SER in the axon, terminals, and the perinuculear and Golgi regions appear to be a source of synaptic vesicles as evidenced by this lead binding capacity and by the observation of vesicles, with the size (50-75 nm) and appearance of synaptic vesicles, budding from SER in direct continuity, with RER. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in synaptic terminals of frog photoreceptors is not continuous with endocytic structures found in the same region, such as blunt-ended tubules or anastomosing networks of tubules. Nor does the ER acquire exogenous horseradish peroxidase. These observations suggest that the ER does not play a direct role in membrane recycling in photoreceptors.

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“…The active zone (AZ) is a specialized region on the presynaptic plasma membrane, where synaptic vesicles are docked and primed for release (Heuser and Reese 1977;Landis et al 1988;Sudhof 1995). The AZ is aligned in registry with the postsynaptic density.…”

Section: The Active Zonementioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure of Synapses in the Mammalian Brain

Harris¹,

Weinberg²

2012

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

341

312

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The morphology and molecular composition of synapses provide the structural basis for synaptic function. This article reviews the electron microscopy of excitatory synapses on dendritic spines, using data from rodent hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellar cortex. Excitatory synapses have a prominent postsynaptic density, in contrast with inhibitory synapses, which have less dense presynaptic or postsynaptic specializations and are usually found on the cell body or proximal dendritic shaft. Immunogold labeling shows that the presynaptic active zone provides a scaffold for key molecules involved in the release of neurotransmitter, whereas the postsynaptic density contains ligand-gated ionic channels, other receptors, and a complex network of signaling molecules. Delineating the structure and molecular organization of these axospinous synapses represents a crucial step toward understanding the mechanisms that underlie synaptic transmission and the dynamic modulation of neurotransmission associated with short-and long-term synaptic plasticity.

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Structure of the Synapse

Cited by 55 publications

References 238 publications

A freeze-fracture study of synaptogenesis in the distal retina of larvalXenopus

A freeze-fracture study of synaptogenesis in the distal retina of larvalXenopus

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and other agranular reticulum in frog retinal photoreceptors

Ultrastructure of Synapses in the Mammalian Brain

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