Abstract

At the frog neuromuscular junction, neurotransmitter release sites are regularly spaced at 1 micron intervals along the nerve terminal, directly facing postsynaptic folds which contain a high density of acetylcholine receptors. Immunostaining and laser confocal scanning microscopy were used to compare the distribution of presynaptic proteins implicated in exocytosis with that of fluorescent alpha-bungarotoxin. Syntaxin, synaptosome-associated 25 kDa protein and calcium channels were located predominantly at release sites. Synaptobrevin (vesicle-associated membrane protein) was distributed in the cytoplasm of the nerve terminal, presumably in the packets of microvesicles associated with each active zone. N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment proteins (alpha beta SNAP) displayed a diffuse distribution throughout the terminal cytoplasm and also colocalized in distinct concentrated zones adjacent to the presynaptic membrane.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.