Molecular and functional architecture of striatal dopamine release sites

Dopamine controls striatal circuit function, but its transmission mechanisms are not well understood. We recently showed that dopamine secretion requires RIM, suggesting that it occurs at active zone-like sites similar to conventional synapses. Here, we establish using a systematic conditional gene knockout approach that Munc13 and Liprin-, active zone proteins for vesicle priming and release site organization, are important for dopamine secretion. Correspondingly, RIM zinc finger and C2B domains, which bind to Munc13 and Liprin-, respectively, are needed to restore dopamine release in RIM knockout mice. In contrast, and different from conventional synapses, the active zone scaffolds RIM-BP and ELKS, and the RIM domains that bind to them, are expendable. Hence, dopamine release necessitates priming and release site scaffolding by RIM, Munc13, and Liprin-, but other active zone proteins are dispensable. Our work establishes that molecularly simple but efficient release site architecture mediates fast dopamine exocytosis.