Dataset for: Regulation of synaptic release-site-Ca2+-channel coupling as a mechanism to control release probability and short-term plasticity

Synaptic transmission relies on the rapid fusion of neurotransmitter-containing synaptic vesicles (SVs) which happens in response to action-potential (AP) induced Ca²⁺ influx at active zones (AZs). A highly conserved molecular machinery cooperates at SV release sites to mediate SV-plasma membrane attachment & maturation, Ca²⁺ sensing, and membrane fusion. Despite this high degree of conservation, synapses –even within the same organism, organ or neuron– are highly diverse regarding the probability of APs to trigger SV fusion. Additionally, repetitive activation can lead to either strengthening or weakening of transmission. In this review, we discuss mechanisms controlling release probability and this short-term plasticity. We argue that an important layer of control is exerted by evolutionarily conserved AZ scaffolding proteins which determine the coupling distance between SV fusion sites and voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (VGCC), and thereby shape synapse-specific input/output behaviors. We propose that AZ-scaffold modifications may occur to adapt the coupling distance during synapse maturation and plastic regulation of synapse strength.