For decades, neuroscientists have debated whether synaptic vesicles “kiss-and-run” or do an irreversible “full collapse” when releasing neurotransmitters. A recent study from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has introduced a groundbreaking mechanism termed “kiss-shrink-run,” which captures a critical phase in neuronal communication. Published in Science, the research utilized a novel cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) technique to visualize synaptic vesicle (SV) exocytosis in unprecedented detail.
This study not only reconciles the long-standing debate over vesicle release mechanisms but also highlights the importance of synaptic transmission in neuronal communication. The findings suggest that SV release is a hybrid process, involving a transient “kiss” phase followed by a significant “shrink” phase before recycling or full collapse. This new understanding could have profound implications for therapeutic strategies targeting neurodegenerative diseases and synaptic plasticity, as it enhances our comprehension of the underlying processes that govern brain function.
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