title: Isolation of an enriched fraction of nerve terminals from fish brain using a discontinuous Percoll gradient.
abstract: A discontinuous gradient of Percoll has been used to prepare a subcellular fraction (fraction III) from fish brain which is greatly enriched in synaptic nerve endings (synaptosomes). Synaptosomes display well-preserved morphology, good functional performance as assessed by ability to release preloaded neurotransmitter following depolarization, and the fraction as a whole has an enzyme profile consistent with the presence of nerve endings. The procedure is rapid, highly reliable and provides a mean yield of 4.5 mg synaptosomes per g wet weight of brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. russell_nicholson@sfu.ca
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D003102:Colloids; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss; D011205:Povidone; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D014316:Tritium; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003102:Colloids; D014316:Tritium; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C016039:Percoll; D014701:Veratridine; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D011205:Povidone