Open AccessFM1-43 Photoconversion and Electron Microscopy Analysis at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
Author(s) -
Nadezhda S. Sabeva,
Maria Bykhovskaia
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
bio-protocol
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2331-8325
DOI - 10.21769/bioprotoc.2523
Subject(s) - electron microscope , synaptic vesicle , neuromuscular junction , endocytic cycle , biophysics , vesicle , ultrastructure , microscopy , electron micrographs , transmission electron microscopy , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , materials science , nanotechnology , anatomy , neuroscience , cell , biochemistry , optics , endocytosis , membrane , physics
We developed a protocol for photoconversion of endocytic marker FM1-43 followed by electron microscopy analysis of synaptic boutons at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. This protocol allows detection of stained synaptic vesicle even when release rates are very low, such as during the spontaneous release mode. The preparations are loaded with the FM1-43 dye, pre-fixed, treated and illuminated to photoconvert the dye, and then processed for conventional electron microscopy. This procedure enables clear identification of stained synaptic vesicles at electron micrographs.