The DISABLED protein functions in CLATHRIN-mediated synaptic vesicle endocytosis and exoendocytic coupling at the active zone.

Fumiko Kawasaki, Janani Iyer, Lisa L Posey, Chichun E Sun, Samantha E Mammen, Huaru Yan, Richard W Ordway

Department of Biology and Center for Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2011 Jun 21

filter terms:

Members of the DISABLED (DAB) family of proteins are known to play a conserved role in endocytic trafficking of cell surface receptors by functioning as monomeric CLATHRIN-associated sorting proteins that recruit cargo proteins into endocytic vesicles. Here, we report a Drosophila disabled mutant revealing a novel role for DAB proteins in chemical synaptic transmission. This mutant exhibits impaired synaptic function, including a rapid activity-dependent reduction in neurotransmitter release and disruption of synaptic vesicle endocytosis. In presynaptic boutons, Drosophila DAB and CLATHRIN were highly colocalized within two distinct classes of puncta, including relatively dim puncta that were located at active zones and may reflect endocytic mechanisms operating at neurotransmitter release sites. Finally, broader analysis of endocytic proteins, including DYNAMIN, supported a general role for CLATHRIN-mediated endocytic mechanisms in rapid clearance of neurotransmitter release sites for subsequent vesicle priming and refilling of the release-ready vesicle pool.

Citation

Fumiko Kawasaki, Janani Iyer, Lisa L Posey, Chichun E Sun, Samantha E Mammen, Huaru Yan, Richard W Ordway. The DISABLED protein functions in CLATHRIN-mediated synaptic vesicle endocytosis and exoendocytic coupling at the active zone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2011 Jun 21;108(25):E222-9