Neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and hormones are released through the regulated exocytosis of SVs (synaptic vesicles) and LDCVs (large dense-core vesicles), a process that is controlled by calcium. Synaptotagmins are a family of type 1 membrane proteins that share a common domain structure. Most synaptotagmins are located in brain and endocrine cells, and some of these synaptotagmins bind to phospholipids and calcium at levels that trigger regulated exocytosis of SVs and LDCVs. This led to the proposed synaptotagmin–calcium-sensor paradigm, that is, members of the synaptotagmin family function as calcium sensors for the regulated exocytosis of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and hormones. Here, we provide an overview of the synaptotagmin family, and review the recent mouse genetic studies aimed at understanding the functions of synaptotagmins in neurotransmission and endocrine-hormone secretion. Also, we discuss potential roles of synaptotagmins in non-traditional endocrine systems.
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Review Article|
June 08 2009
Calcium-sensing beyond neurotransmitters: functions of synaptotagmins in neuroendocrine and endocrine secretion
Natalia Gustavsson;
Natalia Gustavsson
1Laboratory of Metabolic Medicine, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, A*STAR, Singapore 138667
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Weiping Han
Weiping Han
1
1Laboratory of Metabolic Medicine, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, A*STAR, Singapore 138667
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email weiping_han@sbic.a-star.edu.sg).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 06 2009
Revision Received:
April 16 2009
Accepted:
April 17 2009
Online ISSN: 1573-4935
Print ISSN: 0144-8463
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Biosci Rep (2009) 29 (4): 245–259.
Article history
Received:
March 06 2009
Revision Received:
April 16 2009
Accepted:
April 17 2009
Citation
Natalia Gustavsson, Weiping Han; Calcium-sensing beyond neurotransmitters: functions of synaptotagmins in neuroendocrine and endocrine secretion. Biosci Rep 1 August 2009; 29 (4): 245–259. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20090031
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