A rapid method for the preparation of relatively pure metabolically competent synaptosomes from rat brain.
A rapid (less than 2h) method is described for the preparation of synaptosomes from rat brain by using a discontinuous Ficoll/sucrose gradient by a flotation technique. These synaptosomes are metabolically active and minimally (less than 5%) contaminated with 'free' mitochondria as judged by marker-enzyme assays and electron microscopy.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient / Q000379:methods; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008928:Mitochondria; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D051381:Rats; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure