Genetic Analysis of Synaptotagmin C2 Domain Specificity in Regulating Spontaneous and Evoked Neurotransmitter Release

Abstract

Synaptic vesicle fusion mediates communication between neurons and is triggered by rapid influx of Ca²⁺. The Ca²⁺-triggering step for fusion is regulated by the synaptic vesicle transmembrane protein Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1). Syt1 contains two cytoplasmic C2 domains, termed C2A and C2B, which coordinate Ca²⁺ binding. Although C2A and C2B share similar topology, binding of Ca²⁺ ions to the C2B domain has been suggested as the only critical trigger for evoked vesicle release. If and how C2A domain function is coordinated with C2B remains unclear. In this study, we generated a panel of Syt1 chimeric constructs in Drosophila to delineate the unique and shared functions of each C2 domain in regulation of synaptic vesicle fusion. Expression of Syt 1 transgenes containing only individual C2 domains, or dual C2A-C2A or C2B-C2B chimeras, failed to restore Syt1 function in a syt1^−/− null mutant background, indicating both C2A and C2B are specifically required to support fast synchronous release. Mutations that disrupted Ca²⁺ binding to both C2 domains failed to rescue evoked release, but supported synaptic vesicle docking and endocytosis, indicating these functions of Syt1 are Ca²⁺-independent. The dual C2 domain Ca²⁺-binding mutant also enhanced spontaneous fusion, while dramatically increasing evoked release when co-expressed with native Syt1. Taken together, these data indicate that synaptic transmission can be regulated by Syt1 multimerization, and that both C2 domains of Syt1 are uniquely required for modulating Ca²⁺-independent spontaneous fusion and Ca²⁺-dependent synchronous release.

INTRODUCTION

Neurotransmitter release at synapses occurs within milliseconds following Ca²⁺ influx through voltage-gated channels (Llinas et al., 1981, Neher and Zucker, 1993, Sabatini and Regehr, 1996, Sun and Wu, 2001, Wojcik and Brose, 2007). Although the full complement of Ca²⁺ binding proteins that coordinate synaptic vesicle fusion is unknown, the synaptic vesicle protein Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) has emerged as a key Ca²⁺ sensor that regulates fast synchronous release. Syt1 consists of a short intraluminal N-terminal region, a single transmembrane domain and two cytoplasmic PKC-homologous repeats (C2 domains) that bind Ca²⁺ via negatively charged aspartate residues (Perin et al., 1990, Perin et al., 1991, Sutton et al., 1995, Ubach et al., 1998, Desai et al., 2000). In vitro studies have demonstrated Ca²⁺-dependent interactions between Syt1 and plasma membrane phospholipids (Brose et al., 1992, Chapman and Jahn, 1994, Sutton et al., 1995, Fernandez et al., 2001), as well as the neuronal SNARE complex (Chapman et al., 1995, Zhang et al., 2002). The loss of Syt1 severely impairs Ca²⁺-dependent synchronous vesicle release (Geppert et al., 1994, Geppert et al., 1997, Voets et al., 2001, Yoshihara and Littleton, 2002, Nishiki and Augustine, 2004b, Liu et al., 2009).

To determine how Syt1 regulates fusion, several studies have focused on the function of its two C2 domains, termed C2A and C2B. Despite the robust interaction between the C2A domain and membrane phospholipids (Chapman and Davis, 1998, Bai et al., 2000, Bai et al., 2002, Stevens and Sullivan, 2003, Paddock et al., 2008), neutralization of negatively charged aspartate residues (D to N) in C2A do not disrupt synchronous neurotransmitter release (Fernandez-Chacon et al., 2002, Robinson et al., 2002, Stevens and Sullivan, 2003). In contrast, a D229E substitution in the Drosophila C2A domain reduced vesicle fusion (Striegel et al., 2012), while neutralization of D232 (D232N) in mice enhanced synaptic transmission (Fernandez-Chacon et al., 2002, Stevens and Sullivan, 2003, Pang et al., 2006a). Together, these results suggest the C2A domain may regulate exocytosis, but its specific function remains unclear. In contrast to C2A, Ca²⁺ binding to the C2B domain is required for synchronous release (Littleton et al., 1994, Littleton et al., 2001, Mackler et al., 2002, Nishiki and Augustine, 2004b, a, Shin et al., 2009, Yoshihara et al., 2010).

While these studies emphasize the importance of Ca²⁺-binding to C2B, there is no experimental evidence to indicate C2B can function without C2A. Indeed, membrane penetration by Syt1 requires cooperativity between its tandem C2 domains (Bai et al., 2002, Herrick et al., 2006). Here, we tested the function of each C2 domain, and identified cooperative actions of C2A and C2B that regulate release at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). We generated transgenic Syt1 constructs bearing Ca²⁺-binding mutations in each C2 domain, or that expressed proteins with chimeric C2 domain structure. Our results indicate that the essential function for the C2B domain in fusion requires C2A. In addition, similar interactions are required for regulation of spontaneous vesicle release, suggesting that Syt1 C2 domain cooperativity regulates multiple synaptic vesicle release pathways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Drosophila Stocks and Genetics

Drosophila melanogaster were cultured on standard medium at 22°C. Female larvae and adult flies were used for analyses described below unless indicated. DNA constructs for UAS-synaptotagmin 1 (syt1)^C2B-D3/4N encoding Syt1^{D416N, D418N} (C2A-C2B*) were obtained from N. E. Reist (Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA). DNA for UAS-syt1 ^C2A-D3/4N encoding Syt1^{D282N, D284N} (C2A*-C2B) was generated using the QuikChange multisite-directed mutagenesis kit (Stratagene, Santa Clara, CA, USA) with the primer ctcgtgtttgccattttcAacttcAatcgc. A similar strategy was employed to generate UAS-syt1^{C2A-D3/4N-C2B-D3/4N} (C2A*-C2B*) encoding Syt1^{D282N, D284N, D416N, D418N}. Isolated C2 domain constructs with or without D3/4N mutations (C2A, C2A*, C2B, and C2B*) were generated by PCR reactions with the following primer sets: cgGAATTCatgccgccaaatgcaaaatcgg (5′-EcoRI) and gcTCTAGAttatccttcaacgctgaccaggtc (3′-XbaI) for C2A and C2A*; cgGAATTCatgccgccaaatgcaaaatcgg (5′-EcoRI), ccgCTCGAGctgcttgtcctcctcgtcaccctc (3′-XhoI for a cytoplasmic linker), gcgCTCGAGagcgttgaaggagagggcggac (5′-XhoI for C2B), and cgTCTAGAttacttcatgttcttcaggatc (3′-XbaI) for C2B and C2B*. In addition, constructs composed of two homologous C2 domains tagged with HA (C2A-C2A and C2B-C2B) were generated by the Drosophila Gateway vector system with the following primer sets: cgGAATTCatgccgccaaatgcaaaatcgg (5′-EcoRI), gaAGATCTcttttcctgtccgccctctccttc (3′-BglII for the first C2A), GAagatctCAGAGCGAGCAGAAGctggggc (5′-BglII for the second C2A), tccTCTAGActtttcctgtccgccctctccttc (3′-XbaI for the second C2A), CACCatgccgccaaatgcaaaatcg (5′-Gateway), and tccTCTAGActtttcctgtc (3′-Gateway) for C2A-C2A; cgGAATTCatgccgccaaatgcaaaatcgg (5′-EcoRI), GAagatctCTTCATGTTCTTCAGGATCTCGTC (3′-BglII for the first C2B), GAagatctAGCGTTGAAGGAGAGGGCGGACAG (5′-BglII for the second C2B), tccTCTAGActtcatgttcttcaggatc (3′-XbaI for the second C2B), CACCatgccgccaaatgcaaaatcg (5′-Gateway), and tccTCTAGActtcatgttcttc (3′-Gateway) for C2B-C2B. Transgenic strains were generated using standard microinjection into white^- embryos performed by Duke University Model System Genomics (Durham, NC, USA) and Genetics Services (Cambridge, MA, USA). UAS-syt1 transgenes were expressed using a GAL4 driver under the control of the pan-neuronal elav promoter (Campos et al., 1987) in the syt1 null (syt1^−/−) background. Null mutants lacking endogenous Syt1 were generated by crossing syt1^N13, an intragenic syt1 deficiency (Littleton et al., 1994), with syt1^AD4, which truncates Syt1 before the transmembrane domain (DiAntonio and Schwarz, 1994).

Western Blot Analysis

Western blots were performed using standard laboratory procedures. Nitrocellulose membranes were probed with mouse anti-Discs-Large (Dlg) (4F3, 1:2,000) and rabbit anti-Syt1 antibodies (1:200). The 4F3 antibody, developed by Dr. Corey Goodman, was obtained from the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA). Blocking was performed in a solution containing four parts PBS (4.3 mM Na₂HPO₄, 1.5 mM KH₂PO₄, 137 mM NaCl, pH 7.4) to one part Odyssey Blocking Buffer (LI-COR Biosciences, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA). Antibody incubations were performed in a solution containing four parts PBST (1X PBS with 1% Tween-20) to one part Odyssey Blocking Buffer. The probes were detected using Alexa Fluor 680-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG at a dilution of 1:5,000 (Molecular Probes, Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY, USA) and IR Dye 800-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG at a dilution of 1:5,000 (Molecular Probes). Visualization was done using the LI-COR Odyssey Imaging System (LI-COR Biosciences).

Immunohistochemistry

3^rd instar larvae were reared at 22°C and dissected in HL3.1 saline (70 mM NaCl, 5mM KCl, 10 mM NaHCO₃, 4mM MgCl₂, 5 mM Trehalose, 115 mM Sucrose, 5 mM HEPES, pH 7.2). Larvae were fixed for 20 minutes in HL3.1 containing 4% formaldehyde. Following washes, larvae were incubated with primary antibody overnight at 4°C, incubated with secondary antibodies for two hours at room temperature and mounted in 80% glycerol for imaging. The dilutions of primary antibodies were: nc82 (1:50) and Syt1 (1:500). The mouse nc82 antibody against Bruchpilot, developed by Erich Buchner, was obtained from the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (The University of Iowa). Secondary antibodies from Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories (West Grove, PA, USA) used at a dilution of 1:250 were as follows: FITC-conjugated Goat anti-Rabbit, FITC-conjugated Goat anti-Mouse, and Rhodamine Red/FITC-conjugated Goat anti-HRP. Visualization was performed with confocal microscopy (Axioplan 2; Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, Thornwood, NY, USA) using PASCAL software (Carl Zeiss Microscopy).

Protein Expression and Protein Binding Assays

Syt1 was amplified by PCR and subcloned into pGEX-2T. Recombinant Syt1 fused with GST was expressed in E. coli (BL21) and purified using glutathione-sepharose beads (Amersham Biosciences, GE Healthcare Biosciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). A second version of recombinant Syt1 fused with His₆ was generated by PCR and subcloning into pTrcHisA, expressed in E. coli (BL21), and purified using the ProBond^™ purification system (Invitrogen, Life Technologies). The concentration of purified proteins was determined by SDS-PAGE separation, Coomassie blue staining, and comparison with bovine serum albumin standards.

GFP-fused Syt1 fraction was made by freezing 500~1,000 male flies in liquid nitrogen. Heads were obtained by sieving, and then homogenized on ice in TS buffer supplied with protease inhibitors (cOmplete Mini Protease Inhibitor Cocktail Tablets, Roche Applied Sciences, Indianapolis, IN, USA). The homogenate was subsequently solubilized with 0.5% Triton X-100 for 30 min at 4°C. The resulting supernatant (after removing cell debris by centrifugation at 15,000×g for 20 min) was used in binding assays. Protein concentration of head supernatants was measured with Pierce BCA reagents (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Rockford, IL, USA). GST-fused Syt1 immobilized on glutathione-sepharose beads was incubated with head supernatants or His₆-tagged Syt1 at 4°C for 2 hr in TS buffer containing either 2 mM EGTA or 1 (or 10) mM Ca²⁺. Equal fractions were then subjected to SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Polyclonal antiserum against GFP (1:2,000; Molecular Probes, Life Technologies) and Syt1 (1:200) was used for detection of protein binding.

Electron microscopy

Wandering 3^rd instar larvae expressing Syt1 transgenic constructs in the wild-type or syt1^−/− mutant backgrounds were dissected, fixed, and processed as previously described (Rodal et al., 2011), and subjected to a post-staining step with uranyl acetate (2%; Electron Microscopy Sciences, Hatfield, PA, USA) for electron microscopy. Thin sections (50 nm) were imaged at a 49,000× magnification at 80 kV on an electron microscope (Tecnai G2 Spirit, FEI, Hillsboro, OR, USA) equipped with a charge-coupled device camera (Advanced Microscopy Techniques, Woburn, MA, USA). Type 1b boutons with small clear vesicles were selected for measurements for the number and diameter of synaptic vesicles.

Electrophysiology

Preparation of wandering 3^rd instar larvae and intracellular recordings of excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) and miniature EJPs (mEJPs) were performed as described previously (Lee et al., 2008) at the indicated extracellular calcium concentrations in HL3.1 saline at muscle fiber 6 of segments A3 to A5. All recordings were done using an Axoclamp-2B amplifier (Molecular Devices, LLC, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and digitized with Digidata 1330 (Molecular Devices). The data were acquired using Axoscope (version 9.0, Molecular Devices) and analyzed using CLAMPFIT (version 9.0, Molecular Devices) and Origin software (version 8.5, OriginLab Corporation, Northampton, MA, USA). The correction procedure for non-linear summation of synaptic potential (Martin, 1955) was applied for EJP amplitude comparison when indicated. Miniature EJPs (mEJPs), detected at resting membrane potentials more negative than −60 mV, were analyzed for their frequency and amplitude (MiniAnalysis, Synaptosoft Inc., Fort Lee, NJ, USA).

RESULTS

Generation of Syt1 transgenic constructs defective in Ca²⁺ binding

It has been well established that five conserved aspartate residues (termed D1–D5) form a Ca²⁺-binding pocket within each C2 domain (Figure 1A, asterisks; Shao et al., 1996, Sutton et al., 1999, Fernandez et al., 2001). Neutralization of these residues leads to a loss of Ca²⁺-binding and subsequent disruption in Syt1 function (Littleton et al., 2001, Fernandez-Chacon et al., 2002, Mackler et al., 2002, Stevens and Sullivan, 2003). Although the C2B domain is critical for activating synchronous vesicle release (Littleton et al., 1994, Littleton et al., 2001, Mackler et al., 2002, Nishiki and Augustine, 2004b, a, Shin et al., 2009, Yoshihara et al., 2010), there is no experimental data to indicate the C2B domain can function as the sole Ca²⁺-binding module independent of C2A. To delineate isolated functions conveyed by each C2 domain versus cooperative interactions requiring both C2 domains, we generated transgenic Syt1 constructs bearing mutations in the key aspartate residues in each C2 domain in Drosophila (Figure 1B). The five conserved aspartate residues involved in binding Ca²⁺ are highly conserved across the phyla (Figure 1A, asterisks). Similar to prior approaches to eliminate Ca²⁺ binding (Littleton et al., 2001, Fernandez-Chacon et al., 2002, Mackler et al., 2002, Stevens and Sullivan, 2003), two of the five residues in each C2 domain were mutated to asparagine (Figure 1A, red boxes; D282/284N and in C2A and D416/418N in C2B). This allowed generation of syt1 mutants disrupting Ca²⁺ binding to C2A, C2B, or both C2 domains. These mutations (indicated hereafter as C2A*, C2B* or C2A*-C2B*) were introduced into transgenic constructs (Figure 1B, left) and expressed in the syt1 null mutant (syt1^−/−) background using the GAL4-UAS system (Brand and Perrimon, 1993).

Figure 1.

Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) transgenic constructs and sequence similarity. A, Amino acid sequences of human, mouse and Drosophila Syt1 are compared. A single transmembrane domain and two C2 domains, C2A and C2B, are indicated as dark green, blue, and light green blocks, respectively. The five aspartate residues (D) involved in binding Ca²⁺ ions in each C2 domain are indicated with red asterisks. The third and fourth of these five aspartate residues were mutated to asparagines (N) to disrupt Ca²⁺-binding ability of each C2 domain (red boxes). B, The design of transgenic UAS-Syt1 constructs used for the analysis is shown. Syt1 consists of a short intraluminal region (blue line), a single transmembrane domain (dark green box), a cytoplasmic linker (red), two C2 domains (C2A-blue, C2B-green) with a short linker between them, and a C-terminal tail. C2 domains containing mutations described in (A) (red boxes) are indicated with asterisks.

To begin analyzing these transgenic animals, we first examined expression of the mutant protein in the syt1^−/− background to determine if they localized properly at NMJs, similar to endogenous Syt1. Immunoreactivity against Syt1 indicated the mutant proteins were distributed at NMJs in a pattern similar to that of endogenous Syt1 (Figure 2A), suggesting that Ca²⁺ binding to the C2 domains is not required for synaptic targeting of Syt1. To avoid complications in functional analysis that might originate from differential expression of each construct, transgenic lines with similar expression levels by Western analysis (Figure 2B) were chosen for comparison in subsequent experiments.

Figure 2.

Expression of Syt1 transgenic constructs. A, Presynaptic distribution of Syt1 at the 3^rd instar larval NMJ is visualized by Syt1 immunoreactivity (green) in wildtype, syt1^−/− (null), and syt1^−/− animals rescued with the indicated transgenic constructs. The presynaptic nerve terminal is visualized with anti-HRP immunoreactivity (red) in a collapsed Z-stack confocal image stack. Scale bar, 20 μm. B, Western blot analysis is shown for the expression level of Syt1 in syt1^−/− null mutants rescued with the indicated transgenic constructs compared to endogenous Syt1 levels in controls (WT-left lane). The levels of the Discs-large (Dlg) protein are compared as loading controls. Note that the C2A*-C2B* construct results in a change in the size of the protease-sensitive breakdown product previously described (Littleton et al., 1993).

Essential role of Ca²⁺ binding to the Syt1 C2B domain for synchronous neurotransmitter release

To functionally characterize the role of Ca²⁺ binding to each C2 domain in neurotransmitter release, we measured nerve-evoked excitatory junction potentials (eEJPs) at 3^rd instar NMJs in the presence of low (0.2 mM) and high (1.0 mM) external [Ca²⁺] (Figure 3A, upper and lower traces, respectively). We found that synchronous release at lower Ca²⁺ levels (0.2 mM) was restored more effectively in null mutants rescued with Syt1 lacking C2A Ca²⁺ binding (C2A*-C2B) than those with full-length wild-type Syt1 (C2A-C2B) (Figure 3B, left, P<0.01), similar to observations made at Drosophila embryonic NMJs (Yoshihara et al., 2010). Despite differences in the degree of rescue at a lower Ca²⁺ level, both C2A-C2B and C2A*-C2B Syt1 constructs restored synchronous release to near wildtype levels at more physiological Ca²⁺ levels (Figure 3A, bottom traces in each pair; Figure 3B, right). However, as previously observed (Littleton et al., 2001, Fernandez-Chacon et al., 2002, Mackler et al., 2002, Stevens and Sullivan, 2003), Syt1 with defective C2B Ca²⁺ binding (C2A-C2B*) failed to rescue synchronous release, regardless of the presence of a wild-type or mutated C2A domain (C2A-C2B* and C2A*-C2B*) or external Ca²⁺ concentration (0.2 and 1.0 mM) (Figure 3A, B; P<0.01 at 0.2 mM [Ca²⁺] and P<0.001 at 1.0 mM). As a result, the ratio of synaptic failure, defined as no detectable eEJP following nerve stimulation, was comparable between syt1^−/− and C2A-C2B* or C2A*-C2B* rescued lines (Figure 3C; P<0.05 or 0.001), while failures were absent in C2A*-C2B or wild-type Syt1 rescued larvae at a higher Ca²⁺ level (1.0 mM) (Figure 3C). Taken together, these data support the model that Ca²⁺ binding to C2B, but not C2A, is essential for fast synchronous neurotransmitter release.

Figure 3.

Effects of Ca²⁺-binding mutations in each Syt1 C2 domain on evoked synchronous release. A, Representative traces of two consecutive nerve-evoked EJP responses (eEJPs) are shown for wildtype, syt1^−/− (null), and syt1^−/− rescued with the indicated transgenic constructs. Example traces are shown for recordings at low (0.2 mM, top) and high (1.0 mM, bottom) [Ca²⁺] in HL3.1 saline. Scale bar, 5 mV and 200 ms. B, The mean amplitude of EJP responses are summarized for each genotype indicated. C, Failure rates, calculated by counting trials with no detectable eEJP for 40 consecutive stimuli, are shown for each genotype. Mean and SEM are indicated in (B) and (C). ***, P<0.001, **, P<0.01 and *, P<0.05, One-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons using the Fisher’s LSD test between syt1^−/− rescued with the C2A-C2B and the indicated genotypes. Number of NMJs examined (0.2 and 1.0 mM [Ca²⁺]_o): WT, 7 and 7; syt^−/−, 6 and 16; syt^−/−, C2A-C2B, 10 and 11; syt^−/−, C2A*-C2B, 9 and 7; syt^−/−, C2A-C2B*, 6 and 10; syt^−/−, C2A*-C2B*, 6 and 12.

Cooperativity between Syt1 C2 domains in synchronous neurotransmitter release

Rescue data indicate the C2B domain is the major Ca²⁺-binding module involved in regulation of synchronous fusion. However, these results do not exclude a contribution from the C2A domain in C2B-driven Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis. Given that mutations in the C2B domain (C2A-C2B*) led to a complete failure to rescue, regardless of the presence of a wild-type or Ca²⁺-binding defective C2A domain (Figure 3, C2A-C2B* and C2A*-C2B*), it is possible that C2B functions as a major Ca²⁺-binding module without a C2A domain present. To assay the function of each C2 domain separately, we created transgenic constructs that deleted the entire C2A or C2B domain. In addition, we created chimeric transgenic lines that expressed a dual C2A-C2A or C2B-C2B Syt1 protein where the corresponding endogenous C2 domain was replaced to generate a homologous C2 domain architecture (Figure 1B, right). A construct lacking the entire C2B domain (C2A only) was properly localized at NMJs, albeit at a lower level, when detected with anti-Syt1 antibodies. However, the counterpart lacking the C2A domain (C2B only) was not recognized by immunocytochemistry (data not shown), possibly due to a lack of antigenicity to C2B epitopes with our anti-Syt1 antisera. To circumvent this problem, the dual C2A-C2A and C2B-C2B constructs were tagged with hemagglutinin (HA). These constructs were detected at NMJs at similar patterns to endogenous Syt1 when visualized with an anti-HA antibody (see below).

We first examined whether a functional C2A domain in the absence of C2B could restore release in syt1^−/−. Syt1 transgenes expressing C2A in the absence of C2B failed to rescue fast synchronous release even in high extracellular [Ca²⁺] (1.0 mM, Figure 4A, B, P<0.001). A similar failure to rescue was also observed in the case of Syt1 transgenes expressing C2A that lacks Ca²⁺-binding ability (C2A*, data not shown). To determine if the inability of C2A to restore release was due to the lack of a C2B domain, or simply due to the requirement for the dual C2 domain structure found in all synaptotagmin isoforms (Sudhof and Rizo, 1996), we examined transgenic strains that replaced the C2B domain with a second C2A to retain the characteristic twin C2 domain structure (Figure 1B, right; Figure 4A, C2A-C2A). We observed that C2A-C2A transgenic rescue lines had no ability to restore release, as the amplitude of eEJPs remained similar to that in syt1^−/− and far below control levels (Figure 4B, P<0.001). These data indicate that the C2A domain alone, or as a dual C2A-C2A module, cannot support fast synchronous release.

Figure 4.

Functional characterization of isolated or dual Syt1 C2 domains on synchronous release. A, Representative eEJPs recorded in the presence of high [Ca²⁺]_o (1.0 mM) are shown for wildtype and syt1^−/− rescued with the indicated transgenic constructs. B, Mean amplitude of eEJP responses are indicated for each genotype. The mean eEJP amplitude for wildtype and syt1 null mutants (cf. Figure 3B) are indicated with black and light gray dotted lines, respectively. Mean and SEM are indicated. ***, P<0.001, One-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons using the Fisher’s LSD test between syt1^−/− rescued with the C2A-C2B (Figure 3) and the indicated genotypes. Number of NMJs examined: syt^−/−, C2A-C2B, 11; syt^−/−, C2A, 6; syt^−/−, C2B, 5; syt^−/−, C2A-C2A, 7; syt^−/−, C2B-C2B, 13.

We next assayed whether C2B alone was sufficient to support synchronous release when expressed in syt1^−/− mutants. Constructs expressing a Syt1 construct lacking the C2A domain were not capable of restoring synchronous release, regardless of the Ca²⁺-binding ability of C2B (Figure 4A, B, P<0.001; data not shown for C2B*). We next examined whether a transgenic protein expressing dual C2B domains (C2B-C2B) was able to function in vesicle fusion. Synchronous release in syt1^−/− larvae expressing this construct was similar to that observed in syt1^−/− alone (Figure 4A), indicating C2B cannot function in the absence of C2A (Figure 4B, P<0.001). In summary, these data demonstrate that Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis mediated by the C2B domain requires the presence of C2A, indicating the activity of both C2 domains is specifically required to regulate synchronous synaptic vesicle fusion.

C2A and C2B function cooperatively to regulate spontaneous neurotransmitter release

In addition to evoked neurotransmitter release, Syt1 has been shown to regulate spontaneous fusion, as evidenced by the elevated rates of spontaneous release in syt1^−/− null mutants (DiAntonio and Schwarz, 1994, Geppert et al., 1994, Littleton et al., 1994, Mackler et al., 2002, Yoshihara and Littleton, 2002, Pang et al., 2006b, Xu et al., 2009). However, the role of the C2A and C2B domains in regulation of spontaneous fusion has just begun to be explored (Xu et al., 2009) and remains poorly characterized. We examined whether C2A and C2B regulate spontaneous release by measuring miniature EJP (mEJP) frequency and amplitude in syt1^−/− larvae rescued with control and mutated transgenic Syt1 constructs (Figure 5). Consistent with previous reports, syt1^−/− mutants displayed a slight, but significant increase in the frequency of spontaneous release (Figure 5A, B, lower panel, P<0.05). Expression of the wild-type Syt1 transgene (C2A-C2B) in syt1^−/− larvae restored spontaneous release to control levels (Figure 5A, B, lower panel). Syt1 transgenes containing neutralization of two aspartate residues (D3/4N) in C2A (C2A*-C2B) appeared to be more effective in clamping spontaneous release compared to those rescued with wild-type Syt1, though the effect did not reach statistical significance (Figure 5B, lower panel, P=0.32). In contrast to C2A mutations, mEJP frequency appeared elevated in larvae expressing Ca²⁺-binding mutations in C2B (C2A-C2B*) (Figure 5B, lower panel, P=0.14), comparable to syt1^−/− (Figure 5A, B, lower panel), suggesting that spontaneous release may be differentially regulated by Ca²⁺-binding to the C2A and C2B domains.

Figure 5.

Contributions of Syt1 C2 domains to spontaneous synaptic release. A, Representative miniature EJPs (mEJPs) recorded in the presence of low [Ca²⁺]_o (0.2 mM) are shown for wildtype, syt1^−/− (null), and syt1^−/− rescued with the indicated transgenic constructs. Scale bar, 2 mV and 200 ms. B, Summary data for mean mEJP amplitude (top) and frequency (bottom) are shown for the indicated genotypes. Mean and SEM are indicated. ***, P<0.001 and *, P<0.05, One-way ANOVA with multiple comparison using the Fisher’s LSD test between syt1^−/− rescued with the C2A-C2B and the indicated genotypes. Number of NMJs examined: WT, 5; syt^−/−, 19; syt^−/−, C2A-C2B, 15; syt^−/−, C2A*-C2B, 8; syt^−/−, C2A-C2B*, 11; syt^−/−, C2A*-C2B*, 11. C, Representative mEJPs are shown for syt1^−/− rescued with isolated C2 domains (C2A or C2B), with or without mutations in Ca²⁺-binding residues, or with dual C2A (C2A-C2A) or C2B (C2B-C2B) domains. D, Summary of mean mEJP frequency is shown for the indicated genotypes. The levels measured in syt1 null mutants (light gray) and syt1^−/− rescued with Ca²⁺-binding defective C2A*-C2B* (black) are indicated with dotted lines. ***, P<0.001, One-way ANOVA analysis with multiple comparisons using the Fisher’s LSD test between C2A*-C2B* (black dashed line) and the indicated genotypes. Number of NMJs examined: syt^−/−, C2A, 5; syt^−/−, C2A*, 6; syt^−/−, C2B, 5; syt^−/−, C2B*, 5; syt^−/−, C2A-C2A, 7; syt^−/−, C2B-C2B, 18.

To determine if the ability of C2B to regulate spontaneous fusion requires wild-type C2A, we assayed Syt1 transgenes expressing Ca²⁺ binding mutants in both C2 domains (C2A*-C2B*). Surprisingly, expression of the C2A*-C2B* transgenic rescue in the syt1^−/− null background induced a dramatic increase in mEJP frequency regardless of external [Ca²⁺] (Figure 5A, B, lower panel, P<0.001). The elevated mini frequency was far beyond the levels observed in syt1^−/− mutants alone or rescue strains expressing C2A-C2B* (Figure 5B, P<0.001, C2A*-C2B* vs. syt1^−/− or C2A-C2B*).

The increase in spontaneous release induced by expression of a Ca²⁺-binding defective form of Syt1 could be secondary to Ca²⁺-independent roles for the protein in synaptic vesicle docking, priming or endocytosis that enhance the number of docked synaptic vesicles. To test this possibility, we examined the distribution of synaptic vesicles in syt1^−/− null mutants expressing C2A*-C2B* using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared them to null mutants alone or rescue lines expressing the wild-type Syt1 protein (C2A-C2B). As previous reports have indicated (Reist et al., 1998, Liu et al., 2009, Young and Neher, 2009), syt1^−/− null mutants displayed a reduction in docked synaptic vesicles (Figure 6A, D, black column, P<0.001), as well as a reduced vesicle density, measured as the number of vesicles per unit bouton area (Figure 6E, P<0.001). Expression of C2A*-C2B* resulted in an increase in docked synaptic vesicles adjacent to active zones, similar to that in strains expressing the wild-type transgene (Figure 6A, D, black columns). Likewise, vesicle density in syt1^−/− mutants expressing C2A*-C2B* was comparable to syt1^−/− animals rescued with the wild-type protein and significantly greater than animals lacking Syt1 altogether (Figure 6E, P<0.001). We conclude that a Syt1 transgene with no Ca²⁺-binding ability (C2A*-C2B*) can partially rescue defects in synaptic vesicle docking and total vesicle number. Given that docked vesicle number is similar in syt1^−/− mutants expressing the wild-type or C2A*-C2B* Syt1, it is unlikely that structural changes in synaptic vesicle distribution underlie the enhanced spontaneous release induced by C2A*-C2B* (Figure 5A, B). Rather, Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1 appears to increase the fusogenicity of synaptic vesicles, resulting in a dramatic elevation in mEJP frequency.

Figure 6.

Role of the Syt1 C2B domain in regulation of synaptic vesicle size and density. A, Electron micrographs are shown for wildtype, syt1^−/− (null), and syt1^−/− rescued with Ca²⁺-binding defective C2 domains (C2A*-C2B*) or with dual C2B domains (C2B-C2B). Boxed regions in each micrograph are magnified 2.5X in insets. Synaptic vesicles with abnormally large diameters are indicated with arrowheads. Scale bar, 500 nm. B, Summary of the mean mEJP amplitude is shown for syt1^−/− as well as syt1^−/− rescued with wild-type Syt1 (C2A-C2B), Ca²⁺-binding defective C2A*-C2B* or dual C2A/C2B domains. Data for syt1^−/− as well as syt1^−/−, C2A-C2B and syt1^−/−, C2A*-C2B* from Figure 5 are presented for comparison. Mean and SEM are indicated. ***, P<0.001 and *, P<0.05, One-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons using the Fisher’s LSD test between syt1^−/− rescued with the C2A-C2B and the indicated genotypes. The number of NMJs examined for each genotype is listed in Figure 5. C, Cumulative diameter distributions of synaptic vesicles residing within a 100 nm radius of active zones are shown for syt1^−/− as well as those rescued with wild-type, Ca²⁺-binding defective C2 domains, or dual C2B domains. A boxed inset is provided for a detailed comparison. D, E, The number of synaptic vesicles near or in the vicinity of active zones (D) and total synaptic vesicle density (E) are summarized for each genotype indicated. Mean and SEM are indicated. ***, P<0.001 and **, P<0.01, One-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons using the Fisher’s LSD test between syt1^−/− rescued with the C2A-C2B and the indicated genotypes. Number of active zones analyzed in (D) and (E): syt^−/−, 24 and 14; syt^−/−, C2A-C2B, 17 and 14; syt^−/−, C2A*-C2B*, 13 and 5; syt^−/−, C2B-C2B, 22 and 14.

Since the effects on evoked release suggested cooperative actions of the C2 domains, we investigated whether such cooperativity between C2 domains exists for the regulation of spontaneous release. We tested the role of the C2 domains by measuring mEJP frequency and amplitude in syt1^−/− mutants expressing single or dual C2 domains in either wild-type or mutated form (C2A, C2A*, and C2A-C2A; C2B, C2B*, and C2B-C2B). mEJP frequency in larvae expressing transgenic constructs that lack C2B (C2A, C2A*, and C2A-C2A) remained comparable to syt1^−/− mutants (Figure 5C, D, gray dashed line), but was still far below the level of those expressing C2A*-C2B* (Figure 5D, black dashed line, P<0.001). Similarly, transgenic constructs consisting solely of the C2B domain (C2B, C2B*, and C2B-C2B) failed to rescue the increased mini frequency in null mutants (Figure 5C, D,), but remained far below the level observed in syt1^−/− rescued with C2A*-C2B* (Figure 5D, P<0.001). These results indicate that cooperativity between C2A and C2B is not only required for synchronous neurotransmitter release, but also for Syt1 function as a partial clamp of spontaneous release. It should be noted that there are no observed Ca²⁺-dependent changes in mEJP frequency within a range of 0.2 ~ 2.0 mM external [Ca²⁺] at Drosophila NMJs (data not shown), in contrast to the Ca²⁺-dependent nature of spontaneous release at mammalian synapses (Xu et al., 2009, Kochubey and Schneggenburger, 2011). Thus, it is likely that Syt1 exerts its function a partial clamp in a Ca²⁺-independent manner. Given that C2A*-C2B* lacks Ca²⁺-binding ability and Ca²⁺-dependent interaction with SNAREs (Earles et al., 2001, Shin et al., 2009), the mutated protein may alter Ca²⁺-independent interaction of Syt1 with other partners regulating vesicle release, such as SNAREs and membrane phospholipids (see below).

Unlike mEJP frequency, mEJP amplitude remained similar among the different transgenic expressions, except for syt1^−/− larvae expressing a C2B-C2B chimeric protein, which significantly enhanced mEJP amplitude (Figure 5C; Figure 6B, P<0.001). The increase in mEJP amplitude in C2B-C2B expressing animals was associated with the appearance of significantly larger synaptic vesicles by TEM (Figure 6A, arrowheads), and with an increase in diameter of synaptic vesicles near active zones, compared to syt1^−/− rescued with the wild-type Syt1 (C2A-C2B) (Figure 6C). Furthermore, we also found a significant reduction in the number of vesicles distant from active zones in syt1^−/− larvae expressing a C2B-C2B protein (Figure 6D), resulting in a reduced total vesicle density similar to syt1^−/− (Figure 6E, P<0.001). The Syt1 C2B domain is known to interact with several proteins involved in synaptic vesicle endocytosis (Jorgensen et al., 1995, Haucke and De Camilli, 1999, Littleton et al., 2001, Poskanzer et al., 2003, Nicholson-Tomishima and Ryan, 2004, Yao et al., 2012a, Yao et al., 2012b). Considering the distribution of vesicles near active zones in syt1^−/− rescued with C2B-C2B was restored to wild-type levels (Figure 6D, black column), our findings argue that the C2B-C2B protein is capable of promoting vesicle docking similar to wild-type Syt1. In contrast, the reduction in total vesicle density, together with the increased vesicle diameter and enlarged mEJP amplitude, indicates that the dual C2B-C2B protein likely alters the association of Syt1 with the endocytotic machinery, resulting in defects in vesicle number and size.

Enhanced neurotransmitter release induced by co-expression of native and Ca²⁺-insensitive Syt1

While expression of transgenic constructs in the syt1^−/− null background allows characterization of their function in the absence of endogenous Syt1, overexpression of these constructs in the wild-type background can assay any dominant-negative or gain-of-function properties of the mutant proteins. Prior work demonstrated that overexpression of the Ca²⁺ binding C2B mutant (C2A-C2B*) induce a decrease in evoked neurotransmitter release at Drosophila larval NMJs (Mackler et al., 2002). We observed a similar effect caused by overexpression of C2A-C2B* using elav^C155-GAL4, which resulted in a significant decrease in EJP amplitude compared to overexpression of wild-type Syt1 (C2A-C2B) (Figure 7A, P<0.001). Such dominant-negative effects on synchronous release were accompanied by an increase in asynchronous release (Figure 7A, arrows) and enhanced spontaneous fusion (Figure 7B, bottom panel), presumably due to the altered nature of the mutated Syt1 C2B domain interaction with membrane phospholipids (Paddock et al., 2011).

Figure 7.

Interplay between endogenous and transgenic Syt1 constructs on evoked synchronous release. A, (Top) Representative traces of two consecutive EJPs recorded in the presence of low [Ca²⁺]_o (0.2 mM) are shown for wild-type larvae overexpressing the indicated transgenic Syt1 constructs. Scale bar, 5 mV and 200 ms. Asynchronous release events during stimulation are indicated with arrows. (Bottom) Mean eEJP amplitude is summarized for the indicated genotypes. Animals carrying each transgenic construct without a GAL4-driver (white) are served as controls for comparison with the same transgenic constructs driven by elav^C155-GAL4 (gray). B, Mean mEJP amplitude (top) and frequency (bottom) are summarized for the indicated genotypes. Number of NMJs examined in (A) and (B) (control and transgene expression): C2A-C2B, 7 and 8; C2A*-C2B, 8 and 5; C2A-C2B*, 11 and 8; C2A*-C2B*, 10 and 11. C, Log-log plot for eEJP amplitudes at varying [Ca²⁺]_o is shown for animals overexpressing the C2A*-C2B* construct (closed square) and its transgenic control without a GAL4-driver (open circle). The slope values calculated from a linear fit of the first three data points (0.075~0.2 mM [Ca²⁺]_o) are indicated in the box. Number of NMJs examined (control and transgene expression): 7 and 11 at 0.075 mM [Ca²⁺]_o; 7 and 11 at 0.15 mM; 6 and 11 at 0.2 mM; 6 and 10 at 0.3 mM; 6 and 9 at 0.5 mM. D, The ratios of eEJP responses in a paired-pulse stimulation paradigm are displayed for wild-type animals overexpressing the C2A-C2B (white) or C2A*-C2B* (gray) constructs. Number of NMJs examined (C2A-C2B and C2A*-C2B*): 8 and 6 at 30 ms interval; 8 and 7 at 50 ms; 8 and 7 at 100 ms. Mean and SEM are indicated in (A)–(D). ***, P<0.001, **, P<0.01, and *, P<0.05, student t-test for control (UAS-transgene) vs. neuronal expression (C155-GAL4, UAS-transgene) (A–C) or for neuronal overexpression of C2A-C2B vs. C2A*-C2B* (D).

While overexpression of wild-type or C2A Ca²⁺ binding Syt1 mutants (C2A*-C2B) did not alter EJP amplitude at 0.2 mM extracellular [Ca²⁺], overexpression of the C2A*-C2B* protein that completely lacks Ca²⁺-binding ability induced a dramatic increase in EJP amplitude (Figure 7A, P<0.001) without affecting asynchronous release or spontaneous fusion (Figure 7B). Such enhancement in synchronous release could reflect an increase in the number of synaptic vesicles available for immediate release. To test this hypothesis, we examined the synaptic ultrastructure of larvae expressing wild-type or C2A*-C2B* Syt1 (Figure 8A, B). We found no discernible abnormalities associated with overexpression of C2A*-C2B*, including no significant increase in the number of synaptic vesicles near active zones (Figure 8B). In fact, the total number of synaptic vesicles residing within a 200 nm radius of active zones was mildly reduced in larvae overexpressing C2A*-C2B* compared to wild-type Syt1 (Figure 8B, P=0.10), suggesting the enhanced synchronous release is not secondary to increases in docked vesicles. Another possibility for the enhanced evoked release induced by C2A*-C2B* would be an increase in the number of release sites. However, there was no significant change in the number of release sites when visualized by immunoreactivity against the active zone protein Bruchpilot (Figure 8C and 8D), indicating structural changes are unlikely to contribute to the increased synchronous release upon overexpression of C2A*-C2B*.

Figure 8.

Similar distributions of synaptic vesicles and release sites between animals overexpressing wild-type and Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1. A, Electron micrographs are shown for larvae overexpressing the wild-type (C2A-C2B, top) or Ca²⁺-binding defective (C2A*-C2B*, bottom) Syt1 constructs. Detailed view near a single active zone is shown on the right panels. Scale bar, 100 nm. B, Mean number of synaptic vesicles at varying distances from active zones is shown for larvae overexpressing the wild-type or Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1 constructs. Number of active zones analyzed (C2A-C2B and C2A*-C2B*): 13 and 25 at 50 nm; 19 and 32 at 100–200nm; 15 and 16 for total number of synaptic vesicles. C, Representative confocal images depicting distributions of release sites (active zones) in muscle 6/7 NMJs are shown for larvae overexpressing wild-type or Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1. Active zones are identified by immunoreactivity against Brp (top panels, green). The overall structure of NMJs is detected with HRP immunoreactivity (middle panels, red). The merged images of Brp and HRP channels are shown in the bottom panels. Scale bar, 20 μm. D, The mean number of active zones per NMJ is summarized for larvae containing each transgenic construct without a GAL4 driver (white, control) and those with transgenic constructs driven by elav^C155-GAL4 (gray). Number of NMJs examined (control and transgene expression): 12 and 11 for C2A-C2B; 11 and 10 for C2A*-C2B*. Mean and SEM are indicated in (B) and (D).

We next investigated which functional aspects of the release process were modified by overexpression of C2A*-C2B*. For instance, increases in release probability or Ca²⁺ affinity could result in enhanced synchronous release. We compared these properties in larvae overexpressing C2A*-C2B* to either a transgenic control lacking a GAL4-driver or to larvae overexpressing wild-type Syt1 (C2A-C2B). When eEJP amplitudes were measured at varying external [Ca²⁺], the log-log plot for Ca²⁺-dependency of release in larvae overexpressing C2A*-C2B* was shifted to the left compared to a transgenic control, without a change in the slope (Figure 7C, P<0.05; slope for the control and C2A*-C2B*, 3.05 and 3.11, respectively). These data indicate an increase in Ca²⁺ affinity, but not cooperativity, favoring lower Ca²⁺ conditions to support synchronous release. Furthermore, the paired-pulse ratio was significantly reduced in C2A*-C2B*-overexpressing larvae compared to animals overexpressing wild-type Syt1 (Figure 7D). Given the paired-pulse ratio reflects release probability during the first stimulation, these results indicate that overexpression of C2A*-C2B* enhances synchronous release by increasing release probability and lowering the [Ca²⁺] required to trigger fusion.

Multimerization of native and Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1

Our results demonstrate that expression of a Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1 (C2A*-C2B*) protein in the absence of native Syt1 robustly increases the rate of spontaneous fusion (Figure 5), without restoring fast synchronous release (Figure 3). In contrast, co-expression of C2A*-C2B* and native Syt1 resulted in a large enhancement in synchronous release (Figure 7A), with no increase in spontaneous fusion (Figure 7B). If Syt1 regulates synaptic release as a monomer, we predicted that a mixed population of Ca²⁺-binding defective and native Syt1 monomers would yield one of several possibilities: 1) both synchronous and spontaneous release would remain unchanged compared to control if native wild-type monomers in a mixed population are sufficient to perform the full repertoire of Syt1 functions; 2) synchronous release will be partially disrupted with a slight elevation of spontaneous release if wild-type and Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1 monomers participate independently in regulating both synchronous and spontaneous release; or 3) synchronous and spontaneous release will be differentially disrupted if native and mutated Syt1 monomers contribute unequally to different modes of synaptic release, resulting in either relatively normal synchronous release with a slightly enhanced spontaneous release, or impaired synchronous release with a wild-type level of spontaneous fusion. However, our results are not consistent with these predictions, given the normal rate of spontaneous release with enhanced synchronous fusion caused by co-expression of Ca²⁺-binding defective and native Syt1 (Figure 7A and 7B). These results suggest the possibility of a Syt1 hetero-multimeric complex where native Syt1 clamps spontaneous release, while C2A*-C2B* Syt1 promotes evoked fusion. Indeed, the synaptotagmin family has been biochemically shown to multimerize in Ca²⁺-independent (Fukuda et al., 1999, Bai et al., 2000, Fukuda et al., 2001) and Ca²⁺-dependent manners (Chapman et al., 1996, Damer and Creutz, 1996, Sugita et al., 1996, Osborne et al., 1999, Desai et al., 2000). Thus, we examined whether dimerization could occur between native and Ca²⁺-insensitive Syt1, which might underlie the enhanced synchronous release observed in larvae overexpressing C2A*-C2B*.

We purified GFP-tagged full-length Syt1 expressed in syt1^−/− fly heads and performed pull-down assays with GST-fused wild-type (GST-C2A-C2B) or mutated (GST-C2A*-C2B*) recombinant Syt1 (Figure 9A). Purified GFP-tagged Syt1 bound to the cytoplasmic C2 domains of Syt1 immobilized on glutathione-Sepharose beads in the absence of Ca²⁺, as visualized by GFP immunoreactivity (Figure 9A, EGTA, 2 mM). Further multimerization of Syt1 was observed by increasing [Ca²⁺] to 1 or 10 mM (Figure 9A). These Ca²⁺-independent and Ca²⁺-dependent interactions did not differ between wild-type and C2A*-C2B* Syt1 (Figure 9A). Similar results were obtained when we performed pull-down assays with His-tagged wild-type cytoplasmic Syt1 C2 domains to bind GST-fused wild-type or mutated recombinant Syt1. Ca²⁺-independent binding between His-Syt1 and GST-fused Syt1 (wild-type and C2A*-C2B*) was consistently detected (Figure 9B). As seen with endogenous Syt1 pull-down, the interaction between His-Syt1 and GST-tagged Syt1 was enhanced in response to Ca²⁺ (Figure 9B). Taken together, these findings indicate that endogenous Syt1 and Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1 likely form hetero-multimers in the absence of Ca²⁺, which enhances the fusogenicity of synaptic vesicles in response to Ca²⁺ (Figure 7).

Figure 9.

Multimerization of wild-type and C2A*-C2B* Syt1. A, Western blot with anti-GFP antibodies is shown to demonstrate Ca²⁺-independent and Ca²⁺-dependent binding of endogenous GFP-tagged Syt1, purified from adult head lysates, to GST-fused wild-type (C2A-C2B) or Ca²⁺-binding defective (C2A*-C2B*) Syt1. Fly head extracts are incubated with GST-fused Syt1 in the absence (EGTA, 2 mM) or presence of Ca²⁺ (1 or 10 mM). B, Binding of purified wild-type Syt1-His₆ to wild-type or Ca²⁺-binding defective GST-Syt1. GST-Syt1 (C2A-C2B and C2A*-C2B*) and interacting wild-type Syt1-His₆ products are indicated with arrows (top two bands) and a bracket (a single bottom band), respectively.

DISCUSSION

Requirement of tandem Syt1 C2A-C2B domains in regulation of neurotransmitter release

Using transgenic rescue approaches with chimeric Syt1 proteins, we demonstrate that both the C2A and C2B domains are individually required for Syt1 function in regulating vesicle release at the Drosophila NMJ. Prior studies have established that the C2B domain of Syt1 is a critical module for activating synchronous vesicle release in Drosophila (Littleton et al., 1994, Littleton et al., 2001, Mackler et al., 2002, Yoshihara et al., 2010). In contrast, the contribution of the C2A domain is still being elucidated (Yoshihara et al., 2010, Striegel et al., 2012). While the activities of isolated C2 domains in their interaction with SNAREs and membrane phospholipids remain controversial in in vitro studies, growing evidence suggests synergistic actions of both C2 domains. Isolated C2 domains, either C2A or C2B, bind syntaxin and SNAP-25 less effectively than C2A-C2B constructs in response to Ca²⁺ in in vitro binding assays (Chapman et al., 1996, Rickman and Davletov, 2003) or reconstituted vesicle fusion assays (Tucker et al., 2004). Synergistic actions of the C2 domains also occur during lipid binding, as isolated C2 domains bind poorly to liposomes made from chromaffin granule lipid extracts compared to dual C2A-C2B proteins (Damer and Creutz, 1994). Likewise, the interaction between the C2B domain and membrane phospholipids requires an intact C2A domain, even in the absence of its Ca²⁺- and lipid-binding abilities (Bai et al., 2002). Furthermore, Ca²⁺-dependent penetration of both C2 domains into reconstituted lipid bilayers appears to occur simultaneously (Hui et al., 2006). These in vitro studies indicate cooperative actions of C2 domains regulate SNARE and lipid interactions, and match our in vivo observations that evoked neurotransmitter release requires both C2 domains of Syt1.

In addition to a dual C2 domain structure, our findings indicate that C2A and C2B are uniquely required. Double C2 domain constructs containing only C2A-C2A fail to restore Syt1 function (Figure 4), consistent with a lack of Ca²⁺-dependent binding to t-SNAREs in the absence of C2B (Earles et al., 2001). Similarly, Syt2 constructs lacking the C2B domain at the calyx of Held failed to support evoked fusion in the null mutant background (Kochubey and Schneggenburger, 2011). While the C2B domain rather than C2A plays a more prominent role in evoked fusion (Figure 3), our results also indicate that the C2B domain is not solely responsible for Syt1 function in synaptic vesicle fusion, as an isolated or dual C2B domain cannot support synaptic vesicle fusion (Figure 4). In addition, dual C2B-C2B constructs induce additional defects in vesicle endocytosis pathways that increase vesicle size and mEJP amplitude (Figure 6). This contrasts with the ability of purified Syt1 dual C2B domains to induce liposome aggregation and SNARE-dependent vesicle fusion comparable to the wild-type Syt1 (C2A-C2B) in vitro (Hui et al., 2011), indicating a limitation of in vitro fusion assays in recapitulating in vivo requirements for synaptic vesicle release.

Regulation of spontaneous fusion by Syt1 C2 domains

In addition to triggering synchronous fusion, Syt1 also partially clamps spontaneous fusion in the absence of a Ca²⁺ signal. Transgenic constructs with Ca²⁺ binding mutations in C2A fully rescued the elevated spontaneous fusion rate in syt1^−/− null mutants, while those with Ca²⁺ binding mutations in C2B did not (Figure 5). Prior in vitro studies have demonstrated that C2A*-C2B is indistinguishable from wild-type C2A-C2B in its binding to membrane phospholipids (Bai et al., 2002, Bai et al., 2004), while mutations in the C2B domain (C2A-C2B*) facilitated Ca²⁺-independent binding of Syt1 to phospholipids (Mackler et al., 2002). Such differences in Ca²⁺-independent lipid binding may underlie the differential regulation of spontaneous release in syt1^−/− mutants rescued with C2A*-C2B versus C2A-C2B*. Alternatively, neutralizations of these Ca²⁺-binding residues may induce differential changes in C2 domain structure that influence Ca²⁺-independent interactions between Syt1 and SNAREs. Syt1 has been shown to form a Ca²⁺-independent complex with SNARE proteins in vitro (Bennett et al., 1992, Rickman and Davletov, 2003, Shin et al., 2003) and to stabilize partially assembled trans-SNARE complexes to function as a fusion clamp (Chicka et al., 2008).

Unexpectedly, we found a dramatic enhancement in the rate of spontaneous vesicle release far beyond that observed in syt1^−/− null mutants when we rescued with transgenic proteins carrying mutations of Ca²⁺-binding residues in both C2 domains (C2A*-C2B*, Figure 5). Unlike the Ca²⁺-dependent nature of spontaneous release at mammalian synapses (Xu et al., 2009, Kochubey and Schneggenburger, 2011), Ca²⁺-dependent changes in mEJP frequency within a compatible range (0.2 ~ 2.0 mM) of external [Ca²⁺] at Drosophila NMJs has not been observed. As such, how can the dual Ca²⁺-binding mutations of Syt 1 dramatically alter spontaneous release at Drosophila NMJs? Recently, conformational changes in C2 domain structure associated with Ca²⁺ binding have been suggested based on crystallization studies (Fuson et al., 2007). Indeed, we observed a change in the size of a protease-sensitive breakdown product previously described for Syt1 (Littleton et al., 1993) in syt1^−/− null mutants rescued with C2A*-C2B* (Figure 2), suggesting subtle conformational changes in Syt1 structure. Ca²⁺-binding mutations neutralize negatively charged aspartate residues (i.e. C2A*-C2B*), somewhat similar to the effect of bound Ca²⁺ ions. If these Ca²⁺-binding mutations in the C2 domains induce structural changes, it might alter Ca²⁺-independent interactions between Syt1 and SNARE complexes to increase the frequency of spontaneous vesicle release. It is unlikely that the effect of C2A*-C2B* on mEJP frequency would be due solely to the rescue of the docking and endocytosis defects observed in syt1^−/− mutants, as wild-type C2A-C2B transgenes also rescue these defects, but did not induce a dramatic elevation in spontaneous fusion.

Physiological significance of Syt1 multimerization

Although the Syt family can form multimers in vitro, the relevance of such multimeric complexes on synaptic transmission in vivo has remained unclear. Different Syt family members can form homodimers via their N-terminal cysteine residues in a Ca²⁺-independent manner (Fukuda et al., 1999, Bai et al., 2000, Fukuda et al., 2001), while Ca²⁺-dependent self-association and formation of heterodimers between different Syt family members is linked to activity of the C2B domain (Chapman et al., 1996, Damer and Creutz, 1996, Sugita et al., 1996, Osborne et al., 1999, Desai et al., 2000). Genetic analyses in Drosophila have suggested Syt oligomerization may regulate synaptic transmission. Mutations in the C2B domain that alter Syt1 oligomerization (Syt^AD3) (DiAntonio and Schwarz, 1994, Littleton et al., 1994, Fukuda et al., 2000) disrupt synaptic vesicle release (Littleton et al., 2001), although the effects of this mutation on phosphoinositide and SNARE binding, as well as defects in interactions with endocytosis regulators, might also contribute to the inability of the protein to control fusion.

The effects of the C2A*-C2B* transgene on release in the null versus wild-type backgrounds argue that the mutant form of Syt1 may form multimers with native Syt1 in vivo to generate a complex with unique properties. In the absence of endogenous Syt1, the C2A*-C2B* mutant failed to rescue any aspect of evoked release, but strongly activated spontaneous fusion, suggesting Ca²⁺-binding defective Syt1 at rest was fusion-prone (Figure 5). In contrast, when overexpressed with wild-type Syt1, there was no change in mEJP frequency, indicating a multimer of native Syt1 and C2A*-C2B* Syt 1 may be able to effectively clamp spontaneous release (Figure 7B). In addition, this complex would be able to dramatically enhance evoked release (Figure 7A). We hypothesize that overexpression of C2A*-C2B* allows this fusogenic version of Syt1 to multimerize with endogenous Syt1 in both Ca²⁺-independent and Ca²⁺– dependent manners in vivo, as suggested by binding assays (Figure 9). These heteromultimers exhibit characteristics of both Syt1 molecules: they are more effective in Ca²⁺-dependent vesicle fusion, as evidenced by increased release probability (Figure 7D) and Ca²⁺ sensitivity (Figure 7C), while maintaining a clamping function provided by endogenous Syt1 to reduce Ca²⁺-independent spontaneous fusion (compare Figure 7B with Figure 5). Although additional studies will be required to confirm the multimeric Syt1 complex exists in vivo, our data indicate that the different modes of synaptic release, Ca²⁺-independent spontaneous fusion and Ca²⁺-dependent synchronous vesicle release, is likely to be regulated by multimerization of Syt1. In addition, our findings provide evidence that both C2 domains of Syt1 are uniquely required for the two forms of synaptic neurotransmitter release.