CAPS1 and its related protein CAPS2 encode novel neural/endocrine-specific cytosolic and peripheral membrane proteins. Both are essential components of the synaptic vesicle priming machinery and are required for the Ca2+-regulated exocytosis of secretory vesicles; CAPS-deficienct neurons contain no or very few fusion competent synaptic vesicles, causing a selective impairment of fast phasic transmitter release. CAPS1 acts at a stage in exocytosis that follows ATP-dependent priming, which involves the essential synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate and is thought to be a specific regulator of large dense-core vesicle fusion.