Role of mediatophore in connection with proteins of the active zone in synaptic transmission

Mediatophore is a protein purified from Torpedo electric organ synaptosomes , which translocates acetylcholine (ACh) upon calcium action after reconsti tution in artificial membranes. After expression in transfected cells, it e ndows these cells with a calcium-dependent release mechanism displaying cle ar quantal properties. The role of mediatophore in synaptic transmission is discussed in relation to the ultrastructural organization of the active zo ne and the cytosolic high calcium microdomains that transiently appear afte r presynaptic membrane depolarization. Microsc. Res. Tech. 49:47-55, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.