Skehel_1995_Neuropharmacol_34_1379

Over expression of Aplysia synaptotagmin in acutely dissected cholinergic neurons from the buccal ganglia, or in primary co-cultures of glutaminergic sensory neurons and motor neurons, causes a reduction synaptic transmission. Anti-sense oligonucleotide treatment of similar cultures produced an enhancement of synaptic transmission. The interaction between Aplysia VAMP/synaptobrevin and syntaxin is reconstructed using the yeast two hybrid system, and used to identify amino acid residues of VAMP/synaptobrevin that are required for this interaction. Point mutations around residue 50, close to the site of cleavage by botulinum toxins specifically disrupt the interaction with syntaxin. An additional VAMP/synaptobrevin binding protein, VAP33, is identified using the yeast two hybrid system. Intracellular injection of VAP33 specific antisera inhibits synaptic transmission in sensory-motor neuron co-cultures.