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Title: Subsecond kinetics of synaptosomal sup 3 H-. gamma. -aminobutyric acid release, and the relationship to presynaptic Ca sup +2 channels

Miscellaneous ·
OSTI ID:6948521

A subcellular preparation of rat brain enriched in nerve terminals was used to study the biochemistry and pharmacology of Ca{sup +2} entry and presynaptic neurotransmitter release. Synaptosomes maintained a membrane potential and supported a biphasic depolarization-stimulated {sup 45}Ca{sup +2} uptake. Replacing external Na{sup +} with the impermeant cation choline eliminated the slower of the two phases, leaving an uptake process that terminated within one second. A portion of the remaining rapid phase of {sup 45}Ca{sup +2} uptake is dihydropyridine-sensitive. Because synaptosomal Ca{sup +2} uptake is mediated by multiple pathways, the release of neurotransmitter was studied as a means to focus on Ca{sup +2} entry at nerve terminals important to excitation-secretion coupling. A superfusion method was developed to measure synaptosomal neurotransmitter release on a time scale approaching the real time course of synaptic events. Synaptosomes prelabeled with {sup 3}H-{gamma}-aminobutyric acid ({sup 3}H-GABA) were retained on glass fiber filters in a superfusion chamber accessed by three solenoid-driven values. The minimal dead volume of the chamber and the relatively high solution flow rate affords time resolution for release of at least 60 msec. This time resolution was necessary to observe three distinct components of GABA release.

Research Organization:
Harvard Univ., Boston, MA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6948521
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English