Myosin accelerates synaptic vesicle recycling in the motor nerve endings

Abstract

Neurotransmitter release and exocytosis of synaptic vesicles in the motor nerve endings of the frog cutaneous-pectoris muscle were studied using electrophysiological and optical methods under the conditions of inhibition of the myosin light-chain kinase and non-muscle myosin by the specific inhibitors ML-7 (12 μM) and (–)-blebbistatin (100 μM). At high-frequency stimulation (20 pulses/s), these inhibitors strengthened suppression of transmitter release during the first 20–25 s and slowed down the release of the fluorescent dye FM 1-43. The obtained results indicate that myosin accelerates rapid synaptic vesicle recycling upon high-frequency stimulation.