Synaptic vesicle priming in murine rod bipolar cell ribbon synapses (B01)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2011 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 154113120

Retinal ribbon synapses exhibit 5-10 times higher priming rates than conventional synapses, but the molecular basis of this unique feature is unknown. We propose to study synaptic vesicle priming in mouse rod bipolar cell to AII amacrine cell ribbon synapses, focusing our efforts on mice lacking Munc13s and CAPSs. We will analyze synaptic transmission at these synapses in wild-type and KO mutant mice, and will complement these studies with analyses of the ultrastructure of rod bipolar cell synapses in wild-type and KO mutant mice. We expect that our studies will define the role of synaptic vesicle priming in determining the unique properties of retinal ribbon synapses.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 889: Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Nils Brose; Professor Dr. Jeong Seop Rhee