Figure 2. Aspect of neurotransmission that are regulated by autophagy.

Autophagy can control neurotransmission both pre- and postsynaptically. In the presynapse, autophagy controls synaptic vesicle (SV) homeostasis and release as well as mitochondrial function. Postsynaptically, autophagy controls excitatory neurotransmission by degrading AMPA receptors and GABA_A receptors. The absence of autophagy disrupts synaptic plasticity that is dependent on metabotropic glutamate receptors. Finally, autophagy modulates neuropeptide signaling, synapse formation and synaptic pruning; the locus of action is unknown in these cases.