A Synaptic Vesicle-Associated Ca2+ Channel Promotes Endocytosis and Couples Exocytosis to Endocytosis

Synaptic vesicle (SV) exo- and endocytosis are tightly coupled to sustain neurotransmission in presynaptic terminals, and both are regulated by Ca2+. Ca2+ influx triggered by voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is necessary for SV fusion. However, extracellular Ca2+ has also been shown to be required for endocytosis. The intracellular Ca2+ levels (<1 mu M) that trigger endocytosis are typically much lower than those (>10 mu M) needed to induce exocytosis, and endocytosis is inhibited when the Ca2+ level exceeds 1 mu M. Here, we identify and characterize a transmembrane protein associated with SVs that, upon SV fusion, localizes at periactive zones. Loss of Flower results in impaired intracellular resting Ca2+ levels and impaired endocytosis. Flower multimerizes and is able to form a channel to control Ca2+ influx. We propose that Flower functions as a Ca2+ channel to regulate synaptic endocytosis and hence couples exo- with endocytosis.