PIP kinase 1 gamma is the major PI(4,5)P-2 synthesizing enzyme at the synapse

Disruption of the presynaptically enriched polyphosphoinositide phosphatase synaptojanin 1 leads to an increase of clathrin-coated intermediates and o f polymerized actin at endocytic zones of nerve terminals. These changes co rrelate with elevated levels of PI(4,5)P-2 in neurons. We report that phosp hatidylinositol phosphate kinase type I gamma (PIPKI gamma), a major brain PI(4)P 5-kinase, is concentrated at synapses. Synaptojanin 1 and PIPKI gamm a antagonize each other in the recruitment of clathrin coats to lipid membr anes. Like synaptojanin 1 and other proteins involved in endocytosis, PIPKI gamma undergoes stimulation-dependent dephosphorylation. These results imp licate PIPKI gamma in the synthesis of a PI(4,5)P-2 pool that acts as a pos itive regulator of clathrin coat recruitment and actin function at the syna pse.