title: Isolation of synaptic vesicles.
abstract: Synaptic vesicles are the most abundant secretory organelle in eukaryotic neural cells. Synaptic vesicles are physically distinct from other membrane-bound organelles because they are small, spherical, and highly uniform in size with a diameter of about 40 nm. Synaptic vesicles also have a characteristically low density because water and phospholipids account for 88% of an individual synaptic vesicle's weight. The homogeneous size and density of the synaptic vesicle are characteristics that are exploited in most synaptic vesicle isolation procedures. Synaptic vesicles are purified by isopycnic/velocity sedimentation and size-based purification schemes. However, protocols differ in the tissue source of vesicles, the way the tissue is homogenized, and the way the vesicles are fractionated. This unit describes two well-characterized and widely used synaptic vesicle isolation procedures that are capable of generating membrane fractions that are 20 to 30 times enriched in synaptic vesicles.
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Branch
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Craige
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Faundez
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol; D051381:Rats; D012825:Silicon; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; C037239:Sephacryl Superfine; D005990:Glycerol; D012825:Silicon