Chemical neurotransmission is the major mechanism of neuronal communication. Neurotransmitters are released from secretory organelles, the synaptic vesicles (SVs) via exocytosis into the synaptic cleft. Fusion of SVs with the presynaptic plasma membrane is balanced by endocytosis, thus maintaining the presynaptic membrane at steady-state levels. The protein machineries responsible for exo- and endocytosis have been extensively investigated. In contrast, less is known about the role of lipids in synaptic transmission and how the lipid composition of SVs is affected by dynamic exo-endocytotic cycling. Here we summarize the current knowledge about the composition, organization, and function of SV membrane lipids. We also cover lipid biogenesis and maintenance during the synaptic vesicle cycle.

化学神经传递是神经元通讯的主要机制。神经递质从分泌细胞器中释放，突触小泡 (SV) 通过胞吐作用进入突触间隙。SVs 与突触前质膜的融合通过内吞作用得到平衡，从而将突触前膜维持在稳态水平。负责胞外和内吞作用的蛋白质机制已被广泛研究。相比之下，关于脂质在突触传递中的作用以及 SV 的脂质组成如何受动态胞外内吞循环影响的了解较少。在这里，我们总结了目前关于 SV 膜脂的组成、组织和功能的知识。我们还涵盖了突触囊泡周期中的脂质生物发生和维持。