A continuum model of docking of synaptic vesicle to plasma membrane.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 25551140.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 4277110.
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Abstract
Neurotransmitter release from neuronal terminals is governed by synaptic vesicle fusion. Vesicles filled with transmitters are docked at the neuronal membrane by means of the SNARE machinery. After a series of events leading up to the fusion pore formation, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft. In this paper, we study the mechanics of the docking process. A continuum model is used to determine the deformation of a spherical vesicle and a plasma membrane, under the influence of SNARE-machinery forces and electrostatic repulsion. Our analysis provides information on the variation of in-plane stress in the membranes, which is known to affect fusion. Also, a simple model is proposed to study hemifusion.
Medical subject headings
- Cell Membrane
- Lipid Bilayers
- Membrane Fusion
- Models, Neurological
- Neurotransmitter Agents
- SNARE Proteins
- Synaptic Vesicles