Analysis of the structure and function of single active zone using two-photon microscopy

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Role of active zone, the site from which transmitter is released, in synaptic transmission is poorly understood. In this study, I attempted to investigate the structure and function of each active zone which had never been explored. Although I planned at the beginning to apply an optical method using two-photon microscopy, it was found not to be feasible experimentally. Therefore, I used a pharmacological approach to distinguish between active zones and other areas in a presynaptic terminal. Our novel findings indicated that transmitter release and its maintenance are finely controlled in the vicinity of each Ca channel which is thought to locate in the center of active zone.