Biomaterial Database

Probing for calcium at presynaptic nerve terminals. 1980

C F McGraw, and A V Somlyo, and M P Blaustein

The nonmitochondrial ATP-dependent calcium sequestration site within "pinched-off" presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) was localized by morphological techniques. The terminals contain mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), synaptic vesicles, and occasional coated vesicles. Three-dimensional reconstructions of serial sections of synaptosomes reveal that the SER consists, in part, of flattened sacs or cisterns often situated adjacent to mitochondria. Synaptosomes with leaky plasma membranes (induced by saponin treatment) were incubated in physiological salt solutions containing Ca, ATP, and oxalate to promote Ca sequestration. After incubation in these solutions, synaptosomes contained electron-dense deposits, presumably calcium oxalate, localized within mitochondria, SER cisterns, and vesicular profiles. Electron probe microanalyses of these electron-dense deposits confirmed the presence of calcium. When mitochondrial poisons were included in the incubation media, electron-dense deposits were still observed in the SER; however, under these conditions, mitochondria very rarely contained such deposits. When A23187 or EGTA was included in the incubation solutions, electron-dense deposits rarely were observed in any organelles within the terminals. When oxalate was omitted from the incubation media, no electron-dense deposits were found in the synaptosomes. These results show that the nerve terminal SER is capable of sequestering Ca. The data are consistent with biochemical and physiological evidence that the SER plays a significant role in intraterminal Ca buffering during neuronal activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D008928	Mitochondria	Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009840	Oligomycins	A closely related group of toxic substances elaborated by various strains of Streptomyces. They are 26-membered macrolides with lactone moieties and double bonds and inhibit various ATPases, causing uncoupling of phosphorylation from mitochondrial respiration. Used as tools in cytochemistry. Some specific oligomycins are RUTAMYCIN, peliomycin, and botrycidin (formerly venturicidin X).	Oligomycin
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
D002259	Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone	A proton ionophore that is commonly used as an uncoupling agent in biochemical studies.	Carbonyl Cyanide para-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,FCCP,(4-(Trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)hydrazonopropanedinitrile,Carbonyl Cyanide p Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,Carbonyl Cyanide para Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl,Cyanide para-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl,p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl Cyanide,para-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl Cyanide
D004140	Dinitrophenols	Organic compounds that contain two nitro groups attached to a phenol.
D004721	Endoplasmic Reticulum	A system of cisternae in the CYTOPLASM of many cells. In places the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous with the plasma membrane (CELL MEMBRANE) or outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. If the outer surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes are coated with ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum is said to be rough-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH); otherwise it is said to be smooth-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, SMOOTH). (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Ergastoplasm,Reticulum, Endoplasmic
D000255	Adenosine Triphosphate	An adenine nucleotide containing three phosphate groups esterified to the sugar moiety. In addition to its crucial roles in metabolism adenosine triphosphate is a neurotransmitter.	ATP,Adenosine Triphosphate, Calcium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Chromium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Magnesium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Manganese Salt,Adenylpyrophosphate,CaATP,CrATP,Manganese Adenosine Triphosphate,MgATP,MnATP,ATP-MgCl2,Adenosine Triphosphate, Chromium Ammonium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Magnesium Chloride,Atriphos,Chromium Adenosine Triphosphate,Cr(H2O)4 ATP,Magnesium Adenosine Triphosphate,Striadyne,ATP MgCl2
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