Transfer of synaptic vesicle antigens to the presynaptic plasma membrane during exocytosis.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.78.2.1014
• Publication Date: 2006-05-31T08:37:48Z
• Authors: R J von Wedel; S S Carlson; R B Kelly
• Keywords: Kiss-and-run fusion; Free nerve ending

We have utilized immunofluorescence techniques to look for synaptic vesicle antigens on the plasma membrane of resting and active nerve terminals. Rabbit antiserum was raised against purified cholinergic vesicles from electric organ Narcine brasiliensis, a marine ray. Antibodies were shown bind selectively terminals in cryostat sections frog nerve-muscle preparations. Binding demonstrated indirectly by using fluorescein-labeled goat anti-rabbit antibodies. Structures cross that bound identified as because their size, shape, position they coincided with sites rhodamine-conjugated alpha-bungarotoxin had acetylcholine esterase activity. Presumably, sectioning gave antibodies access binding within terminal. However, when added bathing medium intact neuromuscular preparations prior sectioning, antibody marginal or undetectable, suggesting few normally accessible outer surface When stimulated release vesicular addition 1 mM LaCl3, became striking. These findings suggest terminal differ composition. They also provide further support exocytotic hypothesis neurotransmitter release, which predicts markers should be exposed outside fuse during stimulation.