• Applied Microscopy
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• v.51
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• pp.2.1-2.7
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• 2021

Synaptic vesicles, which are endogenous to neurotransmitters, are involved in exocytosis by active potentials and release neurotransmitters. Synaptic vesicles used in neurotransmitter release are reused via endocytosis to maintain a pool of synaptic vesicles. Synaptic vesicles show different types of exo- and endocytosis depending on animal species, type of nerve cell, and electrical activity. To accurately understand the dynamics of synaptic vesicles, direct observation of synaptic vesicles is required; however, it was difficult to observe synaptic vesicles of size 40-50 nm in living neurons. The exo-and endocytosis of synaptic vesicles was confirmed by labeling the vesicles with a fluorescent agent and measuring the changes in fluorescence intensity. To date, various methods of labeling synaptic vesicles have been proposed, and each method has its own characteristics, strength, and drawbacks. In this study, we introduce methods that can measure presynaptic activity and describe the characteristics of each technique.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2018

The synaptic vesicle is a specialized structure in presynaptic terminals that stores various neurotransmitters. The actin filament has been proposed for playing an important role in mobilizing synaptic vesicles. To understand the role of actin filament on synaptic vesicle pooling, we characterized synaptic vesicles and actin filament after treatment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or Latrunculin A on primary cultured neuron from rat embryo hippocampus. Western blots revealed that BDNF treatment increased the expression of synapsin I protein, but Latrunculin A treatment decreased the synapsin I protein expression. The increased expression of synapsin I after BDNF disappeared by the treatment of Latrunculin A. Three-dimensional (3D) tomography of synapse showed that more synaptic vesicles localized near the active zone and total number of synaptic vesicles increased after treatment of BDNF. But the number of synaptic vesicle was 2.5-fold reduced in presynaptic terminals and the loss of filamentous network was observed after Latrunculin A application. The treatment of Latruculin A after preincubation of BDNF group showed that synaptic vesicle number was similar to that of control group, but filamentous structures were not restored. These data suggest that the actin filament plays a significant role in synaptic vesicles pooling in presynaptic terminals.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.107-123
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• 1983

The globus pallidus of normal cats were prepared for electron microscopic study following perfusion with a mixture of 1% paraformaldehyde and 1% glutaraldehyde solution. Neurons of two size categories were identified in 1 $\\mu$m araldite sections and their ultrastructural characteristics were studied in adjacent thin section. 1. Large neurons ($30 \\mum \\times 45 \\mum$ in diameter) had extensive areas of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulm, abundant perinuclear Golgi complex, numerous mitochondria and lipofusin granule, and had a large spherical nucleus with shallow indentation of nuclear manbrane. Small neurons ($17 \\mum \\times 27 \\mum$ in diameter) had poorly rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, moderate number of mitochondria and randomly distributed Golgi complex. The nuclear envelope of this cell frequently showed multiple deep invagination. 2. Three types of axo-somatic synapses were identified on the basis of the size and shape of vesicle in the axon terminal and the symmetrical or asymmetrical thickening at the synaptic site. Type I synaptic terminal shows an even distribution of round and oval synaptic vesicles, and has a symmetrical synaptic thickening. Type II axon terminals reveal mostly round and pleomorphic vesicles and a few vesicles were localized near the presynaptic membrane in pale axoplasm and its synaptic thickening were symmetric. Type III axon terminals contain round vesicles, which were aggregated in the axoplasm, and has a asymmetrical synaptic thickening. 3. The majority of axo-somatic contact with the large and small neurons were type I, and type II and III synapes were rare.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 1988

Comparative study on the synaptic types of the nuclei accumbens septi and fundus striati of the chick and the rat was carried out. Basic synaptic types were established according to the size of synaptic vesicles, development of synaptic vesicles, development of synaptic thickening, kind of postsynaptic structures, etc. Comparing the synaptic types and appearance-ratio within the neuropils, the following results were obtained (see the data in the Table 1). 1. In the nucleus accumbens of the rat, the axo-spinous synapses are far less than those in the nucleus fundus striati (13.7%/68.2%). 2. In the nucleus accumbens, there found much more axo-dendritic types(II, III and V) than those appearing in the nucleus fundus striati(79.1%/27.1%). 3. In the nucleus accumbens of the chick, on the contrary to the case of the rat, more axo-spinous types(70.1%/31.4%) and less axo-dendritic types(12.3%/60.0%) were found as compared to those appearing in the nucleus fundus striati. 4. There found no large-sized synaptic vesicles in the chick nuclei accumbens septi and the fundus striati.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2009

Synaptic vesicles (SVs) are key structures for synaptic transmission in neurons. Numerous membrane-associated proteins are sorted from the Golgi complex to the axon and the presynaptic terminal. Protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions are involved with SV targeting in neurons. Interestingly, many SV proteins have lipid binding capability, primarily with either cholesterol or phosphoinositides (PIs). As examples, the major SV protein synaptophysin can bind to cholesterol, a major lipid component in SVs, while several other SV proteins, including synaptotagmin, can bind to PIs. Thus, lipid-protein binding plays a key role for the SV targeting of synaptic proteins. In addition, numerous SV proteins can be palmitoylated. Palmitoylation is thought to be another synaptic targeting signal. Here, we briefly describe the relationship between lipid binding and SV targeting.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.936-940
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• 2015

Synapsins were the first presynaptic proteins identified and have served as the flagship of the presynaptic protein field. Here we review recent studies demonstrating that different members of the synapsin family play different roles at presynaptic terminals employing different types of synaptic vesicles. The structural underpinnings for these functions are just beginning to be understood and should provide a focus for future efforts.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2004

To identify the structural basis of mutations that affect synaptic transmission we have begun quantitative ultrastructural descriptions of synapses in cultured Drosophila embryonic neurons. In wild-type cultures, synapses are distinguished by the parallel arrangement of a thickened pre- and post synaptic membrane separated by a synaptic cleft. The presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities are defined by electron dense material close to the membrane. Presynaptic regions are also characterized by the presence of one or more electron dense regions, presynaptic densities, around which a variable number of small, clear core synaptic vesicles (mean $35.1{\pm}1.44$ nm in diameter) are clustered. Subsets of these vesicles are in direct contact with either the presynaptic density or the membrane and are considered morphologically docked. A small number of larger, dense core vesicles are also observed in most presynaptic profiles.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2008

In order to investigate shape of synaptic vesicles of the tooth pulp afferent boutons and their presynaptic endings (p-endings), and the neuroactive substance of the p-endings in the trigeminal nucleus principalis, rat incisor tooth pulp afferents were labeled by the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and quantitative ultrastructural analysis and postembedding immunogold labeling were performed. Labeled tooth pulp afferent boutons contained clear, spherical synaptic vesicles (diameter: $45{\sim}55\;nm$) and occasionally dense core vesicles(diameter: $80{\sim}120\;nm$). They formed symmetrical synapses with unlabeled axon terminals (p-endings) containing pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. The ratio of short to long diameter (form factor) of synaptic vesicles of pulp afferent boutons was 0.6 to 0.99, whereas that of p-endings was 0.25 to 0.99. In addition, most of the p-endings showed GABA-like immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the shape of synaptic vesicles is quite different between the tooth pulp afferent boutons and p-endings, and the p-endings may contain GABA as a neuroactive substance in the trigeminal nucleus principalis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.806-819
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• 2022

Synaptic accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) oligomers and their interactions with VAMP2 have been reported to be the basis of synaptic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD). α-Syn mutants associated with familial PD have also been known to be capable of interacting with VAMP2, but the exact mechanisms resulting from those interactions to eventual synaptic dysfunction are still unclear. Here, we investigate the effect of α-Syn mutant oligomers comprising A30P, E46K, and A53T on VAMP2-embedded vesicles. Specifically, A30P and A53T oligomers cluster vesicles in the presence of VAMP2, which is a shared mechanism with wild type α-Syn oligomers induced by dopamine. On the other hand, E46K oligomers reduce the membrane mobility of the planar bilayers, as revealed by single-particle tracking, and permeabilize the membranes in the presence of VAMP2. In the absence of VAMP2 interactions, E46K oligomers enlarge vesicles by fusing with one another. Our results clearly demonstrate that α-Syn mutant oligomers have aberrant effects on VAMP2-embedded vesicles and the disruption types are distinct depending on the mutant types. This work may provide one of the possible clues to explain the α-Syn mutant-type dependent pathological heterogeneity of familial PD.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 1996

Fine structure of the neuromuscular junction in the venomous organ of the spider, Agelena li'mbutq, was studied using high magnification electron microscope. The motor nerve endings at neuromuscular contact area composed of neurons and neuroslial cells were located between musculature and extracellular sheath of the venom gBand. At the synaptic contact between a motor axon and a muscle fiber in the musculature, spherical synaptic vesicles were prominent in the nerve terminal. The sarcoplasm beneath the neuromuscular synapse has a granular appearance and lacks mvofilaments. And the main axon gives off a branch between the muscle fibers. The synaptic regions of this organ are located close to the myofilaments unlike to other chelicerate classes. Moreover the postsvnaptic complex of vesicles and membrane invasinations present in other synaptic legions are absent from these legions in this venomous organ.