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Isolation and characterization of substance P‐containing dense core vesicles from rabbit optic nerve and termini
Author(s) -
Berg Eric A.,
Johnson Robin J.,
Leeman Susan E.,
Boyd Norman,
Kimerer Lauren,
Fine Richard E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4547(20001215)62:6<830::aid-jnr10>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - synaptophysin , synaptic vesicle , vesicle , neuropeptide , biology , axon , microbiology and biotechnology , synaptobrevin , synapse , axon terminal , exocytosis , secretory vesicle , biophysics , neuroscience , chemistry , biochemistry , receptor , secretion , membrane , immunohistochemistry , immunology
In neurons, neuropeptides and other synaptic components are transported down the axon to the synapse in vesicles using molecular motors of the kinesin family. In the synapse, these neuropeptides are found in dense core vesicles (DCVs), and, following calcium‐mediated exocytosis, they interact with receptors on the target cell. We have developed a rapid, large‐scale technique for purifying peptide‐containing DCVs from specific nuclei in the central nervous system. By using differential velocity gradient and equilibrium gradient centrifugation, neuropeptide‐containing DCVs can be separated by size and density from optic nerve (ON) and its termini, the lateral geniculate nuclei and the superior colliculi. Isolated DCVs contain neuropeptides (substance P and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor), synaptic vesicle (SV) membrane proteins (SV2, synaptotagmins, synaptophysin, Rab3 and synaptobrevin), SV‐associated proteins (α‐synuclein), secretory markers for DCVs previously isolated (secretogranin II), and β‐amyloid precursor protein. By using electron microscopic techniques, DCV were also visualized and shown to be immunoreactive for neuropeptides, neurotrophins, and SV membrane proteins. Because of the interesting group of physiological and potentially pathophysiological proteins associated with these vesicles; this isolation procedure, applicable to other CNS nuclei, should represent an important research tool. J. Neurosci. Res. 62:830–839, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.