SV2A, an essential transporter-like synaptic vesicle protein, is a major target for antiepileptic drugs and a receptor for clostridial neurotoxins including Botox. While SV2A is required for normal levels of evoked neurotransmitter release, the mechanism underlying this role remains unclear. Here, we introduce a new chemogenetic approach for all-optical monitoring of excitation-secretion coupling, and we demonstrate its use in characterizing the SV2A KO phenotype in cultured hippocampal neurons. This method employs the HaloTag system to target a robust small-molecule Ca2+ indicator, JF646-BAPTA, to the presynaptic compartment. The far-red fluorescence of this indicator enables multiplexing with the fluorescent glutamate sensor iGluSnFR for detection of presynaptic Ca2+ influx and glutamate release at the same axonal boutons. Evoked glutamate release probability was reduced in SV2A KO neurons without a change in presynaptic Ca2+ entry, suggesting that SV2A supports vesicle fusion by increasing the functional availability, or efficiency, of the Ca2+-regulated membrane fusion machinery.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved