Measurement of intact quantal packet of transmitters released from single nerve terminal by loose-patch amperometry

Neuronal information is majorly encoded chemically at synapses and the elementary unit of synaptic transmission is the contents of neurotransmitter released from single vesicle. However, the contents of quantal neurotransmitter have never been precisely estimated at synapses, which largely prevent o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biosensors & bioelectronics 2021-06, Vol.181, p.113143-113143, Article 113143
Main Authors: Chen, Peihua, Shen, Xuefeng, Zhao, Shuainan, Liu, Zili, Zhu, Qianwen, Zhu, Tao, Zhang, Shuli, Li, Yi, Mao, Lanqun, Sun, Jianyuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amperometry
Biosensing Techniques
Loose patch
Nerve terminals
Neurons
Neurotransmitter Agents
Neurotransmitters
Quantal release
Synapses
Synaptic Transmission
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Neuronal information is majorly encoded chemically at synapses and the elementary unit of synaptic transmission is the contents of neurotransmitter released from single vesicle. However, the contents of quantal neurotransmitter have never been precisely estimated at synapses, which largely prevent our understanding the nature of quantal neurotransmitter release and its impact on neuronal information processing. In order to break through the technical bottleneck of precisely counting quantal neurotransmitter molecules, we developed a new approach in combination of electrophysiology and electrochemistry to measure intact quantal content of single vesicles. An etched submicro-carbon fiber electrode for electrochemical detection was designed to be enclosed in an electrophysiologically used glass pipette. The glass pipette allowed the electrochemical electrode to access the release site, and amperometric recordings were made within the enclosed space at the electrophysiological loose-patch mode. Our study showed that the intact quantal release could be successfully detected at the dopaminergic varicosities by this loose-patch amperometric measurement in real time with negligible leakage. •Developing a novel amperometric approach to detect intact quantal transmitter release.•A nanomotor driven submicro-CFE was applied at electrophysiological loose-patch mode.•Measuring intact quantal dopamine release from single varicosities in brain slice.•The intactness of measured quantal neurotransmitter release was justified.
ISSN:0956-5663
1873-4235
DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2021.113143