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Synaptic vesicles contain an ATP‐dependent proton pump and show ‘knob‐like’ protrusions on their surface.
Author(s) -
Stadler H.,
Tsukita S.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1984.tb02300.x
Subject(s) - vesicle , synaptic vesicle , atpase , biophysics , methylamine , biology , proton , biochemistry , membrane , enzyme , physics , quantum mechanics
Synaptic vesicles from guinea pig brain were highly purified by chromatography on Sephacryl S 1000. They were associated with a Mg‐ATPase which could be solubilized with dichloromethane from vesicle membranes, and which elutes upon gel filtration with a mol. wt. approximately 300 kd. Vesicles accumulate [14C]methylamine in the presence of external ATP, indicating an ATP‐dependent proton pump. Electron microscopy using a quick freeze, deep etch, rotary shadowing technique showed characteristic ‘knob‐like’ protrusions on the surface of the vesicle. We suggest that these protrusions represent part of a proton ATPase which may be necessary for packaging of neurotransmitter into synaptic vesicles.