Exocytosis of "Large dense core vesicles"

Neuronal plasticity can be induced by neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. These are released by Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis from synaptic vesicles (SV) and large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) respectively.

In contrast to synaptic transmission, release of neuromodulators is poorly understood.

In the present project we will investigate the differential regulation of SV vs. LDCV exocytosis with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and electrophysilogical methods in neurons of the murine dorsal root ganglion. We will study the role of proteins involved in exocytosis (Munc13, CAPS) of both vesicle types using knock-out mice strands.