Abstract
The intensity of rhodamine 6G fluorescence was found to be a useful scale for measuring the membrane potential in synaptosomes. The fluorescence of rhodamine 6G in synaptosomal suspensions increases with depolarization in the synaptosomes induced by the replacement of cations in the medium or by the addition of agents known to depolarize the membrane potential. Considering the character of the dye, we have derived an equation which gives the relation between the fluorescence intensity of the dye and the membrane potential. The change in membrane potential (diffusion potential) of synaptosomes was calculated using the equation. The calculated membrane potential was proportional to the logarithm of the K + concentration above 20 mM, and the slope of membrane potential against log[K +] was about 52 mV per decade of concentration. The permeability ratio ( P X P K ; the ratio of the permeability constants of a given cation, X +, and K +) was estimated from the calculated membrane potential.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
