A simple model for calcium induced exocytosis

Abstract

We have developed a simple model showing how the presence or obsence of Ca2+ can determine whether an uncurved or curved membrane surface is favored energetically. The model shows why fusion of vesicles with the presynaptic membrane is favored in the presence of calcium and why the budding off of vesicles is favored in the absence of calcium inside of the presynaptic membrane. The model accurately predicts the radius of a synaptic vesicle using known properties of lipids and suggests consequences of temperature change, varied stimulation rate and addition of calcium by artificial means on rates of transmitter release.