title: Analytical approaches to investigate transmitter content and release from single secretory vesicles.
abstract: The vesicle serves as the primary intracellular unit for the highly efficient storage and release of chemical messengers triggered during signaling processes in the nervous system. This review highlights conventional and emerging analytical methods that have used microscopy, electrochemistry, and spectroscopy to resolve the location, time course, and quantal content characteristics of neurotransmitter release. Particular focus is on the investigation of the synaptic vesicle and its involvement in the fundamental molecular mechanisms of cell communication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Omiatek
authors.forename: Ann-Sofie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Cans
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Heien
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ewing
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents