Quantitative super-resolution imaging of Bruchpilot distinguishes active zone states

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5650
• Publication Date: 2014-08-18T10:12:56Z
• Authors: Nadine Ehmann; Sebastian van de ...; Amit Alon; Dmitrij Ljaschenko; Xi Zhen Keung; Thorge Holm; Annika Rings; Aaron DiAntonio; Stefan Hallermann; Uri Ashery; Manfred Heckmann; Markus Sauer; Robert J. Kittel
• Keywords: Active zone

Abstract The precise molecular architecture of synaptic active zones (AZs) gives rise to different structural and functional AZ states that fundamentally shape chemical neurotransmission. However, elucidating the nanoscopic protein arrangement at AZs is impeded by diffraction-limited resolution conventional light microscopy. Here we introduce new approaches quantify endogenous organization single-molecule in situ with super-resolution imaging direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy ( d STORM). Focusing on Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), find cytomatrix (CAZ) composed units containing ~137 Bruchpilot (Brp) proteins, three quarters which are organized into about 15 heptameric clusters. We test for a quantitative relationship between CAZ ultrastructure neurotransmitter release properties engaging mutants electrophysiology. Our results indicate Brp distinguishes physiological link diversification heretofore unrecognized neuronal gradient ultrastructure.