Maria Florencia Angelo

Abstract Synaptic vesicles (SVs) are small organelles secreting neurotransmitters at synapses. By fusing a photoactivated fluorescent protein to VGLUT1, we generated a VGLUT1mEos2 knock-in mouse. VGLUT1mEos2 knock-in mice are viable and healthy, but exhibit a severe reduction in VGLUT1 expression levels. Using VGLUT1mEos2 expressing neurons, we established paradigms to trace individual SV mobility at the single-molecule level or via massive photoconversion.

Highlights • No evidence of mRNA translation in dopaminergic axons in the mouse brain • Dopaminergic dendrites contain ribosomes and mRNA encoding DA transmission proteins • Dendritic localization of mRNAs and exocytic fusion proteins • Molecular signature of SNr mDA neurons, including Atp2a3/SERCA3, an ER calcium pump Summary Midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons exhibit extensive dendritic and axonal arborizations, but local protein synthesis is not characterized in these neurons.