Biomaterial Database

Release of neurotransmitters and depletion of synaptic vesicles in cerebral cortex slices by alpha-latrotoxin from black widow spider venom. 1978

M C Tzeng, and R S Cohen, and P Siekevitz

The effect of alpha-latrotoxin on cerebral cortex slices was studied by both biochemical and morphological methods. This toxin greatly stimulates the release of preloaded gamma-amino[3H]butyric acid from cortex slices. The response increases linearly with dose. The release is not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, and therefore it is not mediated by the release of other transmitters from other types of neurons. In contrast, no significant increase in the release of a nontransmitter substance alpha-amino[14C]isobutyric acid is observed. Since previously we have shown that alpha-latrotoxin stimulated the release of acetylcholine and norepinephrine from cortex slices, it appears that the toxin probably selectively releases all neurotransmitters. The toxin also profoundly depletes the synaptic vesicle population in boutons in the cortex slices. The results suggest that the release of neurotransmitter and the depletion of synaptic vesicle in boutons are manifestations of a single action of the toxin. Therefore, alpha-latrotoxin can be used as a good tool for the identification of neurotransmitters and in studies on the mechanism of neurotransmitter release.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005680	gamma-Aminobutyric Acid	The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.	4-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA,4-Aminobutanoic Acid,Aminalon,Aminalone,Gammalon,Lithium GABA,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Zinc Salt (2:1),4 Aminobutanoic Acid,4 Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric,GABA, Lithium,Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt
D000621	Aminoisobutyric Acids	A group of compounds that are derivatives of the amino acid 2-amino-2-methylpropanoic acid.	Acids, Aminoisobutyric
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001180	Arthropod Venoms	Venoms from animals of the phylum ARTHROPODA. Those most investigated are from SCORPIONS and SPIDERS of the class Arachnidae and from ant, bee, and wasp families of the INSECTA order HYMENOPTERA. The venoms contain protein toxins, enzymes, and other bioactive substances and may be lethal to man.	Arachnid Toxin,Arachnid Toxins,Arachnid Venoms,Hymenoptera Venom,Hymenoptera Venoms,Insect Venom,Insect Venoms,Arachnid Venom,Arthropod Venom,Toxin, Arachnid,Toxins, Arachnid,Venom, Arachnid,Venom, Arthropod,Venom, Hymenoptera,Venom, Insect,Venoms, Arachnid,Venoms, Arthropod,Venoms, Hymenoptera,Venoms, Insect
D013111	Spider Venoms	Venoms of arthropods of the order Araneida of the ARACHNIDA. The venoms usually contain several protein fractions, including ENZYMES, hemolytic, neurolytic, and other TOXINS, BIOLOGICAL.	Araneid Venoms,Spider Toxin,Spider Toxins,Tarantula Toxin,Tarantula Toxins,Tarantula Venom,Araneid Venom,Spider Venom,Tarantula Venoms,Toxin, Spider,Toxin, Tarantula,Toxins, Spider,Toxins, Tarantula,Venom, Araneid,Venom, Spider,Venom, Tarantula,Venoms, Araneid,Venoms, Spider,Venoms, Tarantula
D013572	Synaptic Vesicles	Membrane-bound compartments which contain transmitter molecules. Synaptic vesicles are concentrated at presynaptic terminals. They actively sequester transmitter molecules from the cytoplasm. In at least some synapses, transmitter release occurs by fusion of these vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, followed by exocytosis of their contents.	Synaptic Vesicle,Vesicle, Synaptic,Vesicles, Synaptic
D051379	Mice	The common name for the genus Mus.	Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus