Post-fusion structural changes and their roles in exocytosis and endocytosis of dense-core vesicles

Nat Commun. 2014:5:3356. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4356.

Abstract

Vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane generates an Ω-shaped membrane profile. Its pore is thought to dilate until flattening (full-collapse), followed by classical endocytosis to retrieve vesicles. Alternatively, the pore may close (kiss-and-run), but the triggering mechanisms and its endocytic roles remain poorly understood. Here, using confocal and stimulated emission depletion microscopy imaging of dense-core vesicles, we find that fusion-generated Ω-profiles may enlarge or shrink while maintaining vesicular membrane proteins. Closure of fusion-generated Ω-profiles, which produces various sizes of vesicles, is the dominant mechanism mediating rapid and slow endocytosis within ~1-30 s. Strong calcium influx triggers dynamin-mediated closure. Weak calcium influx does not promote closure, but facilitates the merging of Ω-profiles with the plasma membrane via shrinking rather than full-collapse. These results establish a model, termed Ω-exo-endocytosis, in which the fusion-generated Ω-profile may shrink to merge with the plasma membrane, change in size or change in size then close in response to calcium, which is the main mechanism to retrieve dense-core vesicles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endocytosis / physiology
  • Exocytosis / physiology
  • Membrane Fusion / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Secretory Vesicles / chemistry*
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism