Regulation of Synaptic Vesicle Docking by Different Classes of Macromolecules in Active Zone Material
Figure 2
Composite diagram of layers of AZM macromolecules at resting active zones exposed by electron tomography.
Shown in the transverse plane of the active zone, the superficial layer of macromolecules in the main body of the AZM includes beams, ribs and pegs; the intermediate layer includes steps and spars; and the deep layer includes masts, booms and topmasts. Ribs, spars and booms connect to docked synaptic vesicles (SV), topmasts connect to nearby undocked vesicles, and pegs connect to macromolecules in the presynaptic membrane (PM). Pins are positioned away from the main body of the AZM and link docked vesicles to the presynaptic membrane. All AZM components are shown in virtual slices and surface models from reconstructed tissue sections in subsequent Figures except for pegs, which were not included in this study (but see [11], [13]). The color code is the same for all Figures.