Three Modalities of Synaptic Neurotransmitter Release: Rapid Synchronized, Multivesicular, and Asynchronous. Similarities and Differences in Mechanisms

The central nervous system contains several modalities for neurotransmitter release: phasic (synchronous), asynchronous, and multivesicular. This review summarizes results from studies in recent years demonstrating the involvement of different calcium sensors in triggering synchronous and asynchronous neurotransmitter release. In addition, the possible sources of presynaptic Ca2+ triggering asynchronous neurotransmitter release are considered, along with the possible mechanisms of multivesicular neurotransmitter release.