Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters that are released to propagate nerve impulses between neurons.
This illustration shows two adjacent nerve cells and synaptic vesicles within the axon terminal of the top nerve cell. The synaptic vesicles are linked by the proteins alphasynuclein and synaptobrevin and form a complex at the presynaptic membrane. Some of the vesicles shown are docked to the presynaptic membrane by the SNARE complex.
This illustration shows two adjacent nerve cells and synaptic vesicles within the axon terminal of the top nerve cell. The synaptic vesicles are linked by the proteins alphasynuclein and synaptobrevin and form a complex at the presynaptic membrane. Some of the vesicles shown are docked to the presynaptic membrane by the SNARE complex.
In a recent study, Stanford investigators have exposed the possible function of alphasynuclein in a healthy brain. Alphasynuclein has been strongly implicated in Parkinson's disease.
Cover Page Journal of Biological Chemistry
Client: Stanford University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Brunger Lab (Stanford, CA, USA)
