title: Characterization of fluo-3 labelling of dense bodies at the hair cell's presynaptic active zone.
abstract: The presynaptic active zone is the critical region of a chemical synapse at which Ca2+ entry provokes neurotransmitter release by exocytotic fusion of synaptic vesicles. To facilitate investigations of synaptic function, we have identified a group of fluorescent substances that label individual active zones in living hair cells. The Ca2+ indicator fluo-3, the compound studied in most detail, binds to the presynaptic dense bodies that are characteristic of active zones in hair cells and other cells that tonically release transmitter. The indicator's binding is reversible, with a dissociation constant of approximately 350 microM. Because fluo-3 that is bound to a presynaptic dense body continues to detect Ca2+ with an unaltered dissociation constant, the binding of this substance provides a valuable tool for exploration of the Ca2+ concentration at the site of vesicle fusion.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9117, USA.
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hudspeth
mesh_terms: D000558:Ambystoma mexicanum; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014966:Xanthenes
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014966:Xanthenes; C059715:Fluo-3; D002118:Calcium