Rapid fluctuations in transmitter release from single vesicles in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Single-vesicle release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells can be detected in real time as current spikes by the electrochemical method of amperometry. About 70% of spikes are preceded by a small "foot," the trickle of transmitter out of the early fusion pore. In addition, 20–50% of fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biophysical journal 1996-03, Vol.70 (3), p.1543-1552
Main Authors: Zhou, Z., Misler, S., Chow, R.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biophysical Phenomena
Biophysics
Calcium - metabolism
Catecholamines - secretion
Cattle
Cells, Cultured
Chromaffin System - cytology
Chromaffin System - metabolism
Chromaffin System - secretion
Electrochemistry
Intracellular Fluid - metabolism
Kinetics
Mast Cells - secretion
Neurons - secretion
Neurotransmitter Agents - secretion
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Summary:Single-vesicle release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells can be detected in real time as current spikes by the electrochemical method of amperometry. About 70% of spikes are preceded by a small "foot," the trickle of transmitter out of the early fusion pore. In addition, 20–50% of foot signals exhibit rapid fluctuations that we interpret as flickering of the fusion pore. There are also "stand-alone" foot signals, which may reflect transient fusions, in which the vesicles do not collapse completely into the plasma membrane. The number and frequency of the foot flickering are affected by intracellular Ca2+ concentration.
ISSN:0006-3495
1542-0086
DOI:10.1016/S0006-3495(96)79718-7