Neurons communicate with each other by releasing neurotransmitters. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the molecular mechanisms involved in neurotransmitter release. The topics covered in the book range from the architecture and cytomatrix proteins of presynaptic sites, to the modes of synaptic vesicle exocytosis (full-collapse and kiss-and-run), and from the key molecules mediating synaptic vesicle fusion (SNAREs) to those that closely interact with them (UNC-13/Munc13, UNC-18/Munc18, tomosyn, and complexins). The book also delves into the calcium sensors of synaptic vesicle fusion (synaptotagmins and Doc2s), the sources of calcium that trigger synaptic exocytosis (voltage-gated calcium channels and ryanodine receptors), and the regulation of neurotransmitter release by potassium channels, cell adhesion molecules, lipids, aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP), presenilins, and calstabins. To aid in understanding and illustrate key concepts, the book includes sufficient background information and a wealth of illustrations and diagrams. The new edition includes major updates to previous chapters, as well as several new chapters that reflect the recent advances in the field. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release, 2nd edition, is a valuable learning resource for neuroscience students and a solid reference for neuroscientists.

¿Zhao-Wen Wang, PhD, is Professor of Neuroscience in the Faculty of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut. His major research interests are on the functions and regulation of the BK channel and gap junctions, and molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release.

Chapter 1 The Architecture of the Presynaptic Release Site

R. Grace Zhai

Chapter 2 Cytomatrix Proteins in Presynaptic Terminal

Yishi Jin (University of California San Diego) & R. Grace Zhai

Chapter 3 Multiple Modes of Fusion and Retrieval at the Calyx of Held Synapse

Xin-Sheng Wu, and Ling-Gang Wu

Chapter 4 Roles of SNARE Proteins in Synaptic Vesicle Fusion

Mark T. Palfreyman & Erik M. Jorgensen

Chapter 5 Calcium Sensors of Neurotransmitter Release

Qiangjun Zhou

Chapter 6 Roles and Sources of Calcium in Synaptic Exocytosis

Zhao-Wen Wang

Chapter 7 Regulation of Presynaptic Calcium Channels

Chapter 8 Roles of mUnc13/UNC-13 and mUnc18/UNC-18 in Neurotransmitter Release

Zhitao Hu

Chapter 9 The role of tomosyn in the regulation of neurotransmitter exocytosis

Chun Hin Chow, Mengjia Huang, and Shuzo Sugita

Chapter 10 Roles of complexins in Neurotransmitter Release

Holger Taschenberger, and Francisco Jose Lopez-Murcia

Chapter 11 Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release by AIPR-1/AIP and calstabins

Bojun Chen

Chapter 12 The Role of Potassium Channels in the Regulation of Neurotransmitter Release

Laurence O. Trussell

Chapter 13 Roles of Neuropeptides in Synaptic Function

Niels Ringstad

Chapter 14anssynaptic Regulation of Presynaptic Release Machinery in Central Synapses by Cell Adhesion MoleculesTr

Kensuke Futai & Yasunori Hayashi

Chapter 15 Lipids and Secretory Vesicle Exocytosis

Frederic A. Meunier

Chapter 16 Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis

Patrik Verstreken