Structure and function of ribbon synapses

Sterling, Peter; Matthews, Gary

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2004.11.009

Cited by 312 publications

(357 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…Fig. 3, Sterling and Matthews, 2005). Vesicles appear to be arranged in a hexagonal array along the face of the ribbon (Pierantoni and McCann, 1981;Thoreson et al, 2004).…”

Section: Synaptic Vesiclesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The anatomical organization of the ribbon synapses found in photoreceptor and bipolar cells has been reviewed many times (e.g., Dowling, 1987;Sterling and Matthews, 2005) and it is not our purpose to repeat that description. Instead we revisit this theme with two points in mind.…”

Section: Structural Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date there is no functional evidence to support the view that molecular motors are involved in vesicle movements in the vicinity of the active zone (reviewed in Lenzi and von Gersdorff, 2001;Heidelberger et al, 2002). Finally, in the absence of evidence other than antibody recognition, one cannot rule out the possibility that a ribbon protein and KIF3A share a conserved epitope (Parsons and Sterling, 2003;Sterling and Matthews, 2005).…”

Section: Ribbon Synapse-associated Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A rough estimate based on freezefracture and transmission EM pictures is 100-130 docking sites/ribbon in mammalian photoreceptors (Raviola and Gilula, 1975;Rao-Mirotznik et al, 1995). In many species, it appears that only the lowest row of 20-25 vesicles at the base of the ribbon is docked in contact with the plasma membrane (Sterling and Matthews, 2005).…”

Section: Synaptic Vesicle Poolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At ribbon synapses, circumstantial evidence suggests that vesicles tethered to the ribbon already are primed for rapid, calcium-dependent fusion, regardless of their proximity to the plasma membrane (Heidelberger, 1998;Heidelberger et al, 2002). This raises the possibility that at ribbon synapses priming may occur prior to docking, although how this might work at a molecular level is unclear (reviewed by Heidelberger, 2001;Sterling and Matthews, 2005).…”

Section: Synaptic Vesicle Poolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Synaptic transmission at retinal ribbon synapses

Heidelberger

Thoreson

Witkovsky

2005

Progress in Retinal and Eye Research

209

231

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The molecular organization of ribbon synapses in photoreceptors and ON bipolar cells is reviewed in relation to the process of neurotransmitter release. The interactions between ribbon synapseassociated proteins, synaptic vesicle fusion machinery and the voltage-gated calcium channels that gate transmitter release at ribbon synapses are discussed in relation to the process of synaptic vesicle exocytosis. We describe structural and mechanistic specializations that permit the ON bipolar cell to release transmitter at a much higher rate than the photoreceptor does, under in vivo conditions. We also consider the modulation of exocytosis at photoreceptor synapses, with an emphasis on the regulation of calcium channels.

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“…Fig. 3, Sterling and Matthews, 2005). Vesicles appear to be arranged in a hexagonal array along the face of the ribbon (Pierantoni and McCann, 1981;Thoreson et al, 2004).…”

Section: Synaptic Vesiclesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Structural Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ribbon Synapse-associated Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Synaptic Vesicle Poolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Synaptic Vesicle Poolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Synaptic transmission at retinal ribbon synapses

Heidelberger

Thoreson

Witkovsky

2005

Progress in Retinal and Eye Research

209

231

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Hair Cells

Marcotti

Masetto

2010

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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Hair cells are the sensory receptors in the inner ear that detect sound and head motion to begin the processes of hearing and balance control. The defining feature of hair cells is the hair bundle, the transduction organelle protruding from their apical surface composed of ordered arrays of stereocilia. Mechanical deflection of the hair bundle, normally induced by physiological stimuli, increases the open probability of mechanically gated cation channels located at the tip of stereocilia. The resulting depolarizing inward current generates a receptor potential. The information encoded in this electrical response is transmitted to the auditory or vestibular afferent nerve fibres via the Ca 2+ ‐induced release of neurotransmitter from the hair cell's basal pole. In this way sensory information is relayed to the brain enabling us to perceive sound and maintain balance. In mammals, hair cell loss causes irreversible balance and hearing impairment because these sensory cells show very little or no regenerative ability. Key concepts: Hair cells are the sensory receptors of both the auditory and vestibular systems in vertebrates. Inner ear hair cells derive their name from the stereocilia that protrude from their apical surface, which are deflected as a result of sound (cochlea) or head movement (vestibular organs) and initiate the sensory transduction process. Cochlear hair cells convert acoustic stimuli into electrical activity that allows the brain to perceive the sensation of hearing. Vestibular hair cells inform the central nervous system of head position and movements. The hair bundle, the defining feature of all hair cells, is the mechano‐receptive organelle directly responsible for mechano‐transduction, i.e. for converting the natural stimulus into a neural signal. In mammals, hair cell loss due to acoustic over‐stimulation, ototoxic drugs, ageing and genetic defects is irreversible, leading to a permanent loss of function.

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Molecular Genetics of Usher Syndrome

Kremer

Wijk

2009

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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Usher syndrome affects hearing, vision and balance. The syndrome is genetically heterogeneous and nine causative genes have been identified so far. Proteins encoded by these genes function in a protein network at different subcellular locations in photoreceptor cells of the retina and hair cells of the inner ear. In hair cells, Usher proteins mainly contribute to the formation of fibrous links that connect stereocilia and also the stereocilia and the kinocilium. In addition, Usher proteins are found in the synaptic region where hair cells contact nerve fibres. In photoreceptor cells the Usher proteins are mainly seen in the region of the connecting cilium including the periciliary region of the cell body, the connecting cilium itself and the basal body and accessory centriole. In addition, Usher proteins are present in the synaptic region of photoreceptor cells. The Usher proteins are thought to have diverse functions including structural support, transport and signalling. Key Concepts Genetic Heterogeneity of Disorders Genes involved in genetically heterogeneous disorders encode proteins that are functionally related. In the case of Usher syndrome, the genes involved encode proteins that function in a protein complex. Defects in different members of the complex lead to the same phenotype. See also Oti and Brunner (2007).

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Structure and function of ribbon synapses

Cited by 312 publications

References 98 publications

Synaptic transmission at retinal ribbon synapses

Synaptic transmission at retinal ribbon synapses

Hair Cells

Molecular Genetics of Usher Syndrome

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