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    Neuron. 2001 Dec 20;32(6):1057-69.

    Three-dimensional structure of the synaptotagmin 1 C2B-domain: synaptotagmin 1 as a phospholipid binding machine.

    Fernandez I, Araç D, Ubach J, Gerber SH, Shin O, Gao Y, Anderson RG, Südhof TC, Rizo J.

    Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.

    Synaptotagmin 1 probably functions as a Ca2+ sensor in neurotransmitter release via its two C2-domains, but no common Ca2+-dependent activity that could underlie a cooperative action between them has been described. The NMR structure of the C2B-domain now reveals a beta sandwich that exhibits striking similarities and differences with the C2A-domain. Whereas the bottom face of the C2B-domain has two additional alpha helices that may be involved in specialized Ca2+-independent functions, the top face binds two Ca2+ ions and is remarkably similar to the C2A-domain. Consistent with these results, but in contrast to previous studies, we find that the C2B-domain binds phospholipids in a Ca2+-dependent manner similarly to the C2A-domain. These results suggest a novel view of synaptotagmin function whereby the two C2-domains cooperate in a common activity, Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding, to trigger neurotransmitter release.

    PMID: 11754837 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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