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A specialized region of the plasma membrane and cell cortex of a presynaptic neuron; encompasses a region of the plasma membrane where synaptic vesicles dock and fuse, synaptic vesicles, and a specialized cortical cytoskeletal matrix. Any constituent part of a synapse, the junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron or muscle fiber or glial cell. The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron or muscle fiber or glial cell; the site of interneuronal communication. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane. The part of a cell or its extracellular environment in which a gene product is located. A gene product may be located in one or more parts of a cell and its location may be as specific as a particular macromolecular complex, that is, a stable, persistent association of macromolecules that function together. The specialized cytoskeletal matrix assembled at the active zones of the presynaptic nerve terminal. The cytoskeletal matrix is a proteinaceous structure involved in organizing synaptic events such as immobilisation or translocation of synaptic vesicles, and assembling active zone components. The cytomatrix protein exclusively assembled at active zones, is thought to form a molecular scaffold that organizes neurotransmitter release sites. The membrane portion of the presynaptic active zone; it is the site where docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles occurs for the release of neurotransmitters.

View Gene Ontology (GO) Term

GO TERM SUMMARY
Name: presynaptic active zone
Acc: GO:0048786
Aspect: Cellular Component
Desc: A specialized region of the plasma membrane and cell cortex of a presynaptic neuron; encompasses a region of the plasma membrane where synaptic vesicles dock and fuse, synaptic vesicles, and a specialized cortical cytoskeletal matrix.
Synonyms:
  • pre-synaptic active zone
Proteins in PDR annotated with:
   This term: 36 [Search]
   Term or descendants: 42 [Search]


[geneontology.org]
INTERACTIVE GO GRAPH

GO:0048786 - presynaptic active zone (interactive image map)
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