Dr. Yang's new publication explores the critical role of Intersectin-1 in neural communication

Amy Yang, PhD, published a recent article titled, “Intersectin‐1 enhances calcium‐dependent replenishment of the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles during development”, in the Journal of Physiology that explores the role of the protein Intersectin-1 in neural communication. Congratulations Dr. Yang!

Intersectin-1 (Itsn1)  is an evolutionarily-conserved protein that plays a critical role in neural communication. Its overexpression is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including Down Syndrome. In this study, the researchers demonstrate that during development, Intersectin-1 moves closer to release sites at synapses, facilitating rapid replenishment of synaptic vesicles. These findings provide mechanistic insights into how neurons maintain faithful synaptic transmission during repetitive activity required for proper brain function.

Image Caption
During development, Intersectin-1 (Itsn1) translocates near voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) to enhance Ca2+-dependent replenishment of readily releasable synaptic vesicles (SVs). In the presynaptic terminal, SVs undergo a cycle involving formation (step 1), docking (step 2), exocytosis (step 3), endocytosis (step 4), and refilling (step 5) to sustain transmitter release. The developmental repositioning of Itsn1 (purple) to the vicinity of VGCCs, forming a Ca2+ domain (pink), potentially facilitates recovery from exocytosis and thereby supports faithful synaptic transmission during repetitive activity.

Learn more about the role of the protein Intersectin-1 in neural communication