Abstract
THE transmission of nerve signals across cholinergic synapses involves the presynaptic release (or secretion) of acetylcholine (ACh) which, by acting on specific sites of the postsynaptic membrane, induces changes in the postsynaptic transmembrane potential. According to the vesicle hypothesis1, ACh is packed inside synaptic vesicles which release their contents from the nerve terminal on contact with the presynaptic membrane. Although there is abundant experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis2, some papers question its validity3–6. The most important alternative hypothesis postulates that the releasable ACh is free in the cytoplasm3–6 and that the vesicles are a secondary reservoir containing ‘bound’ ACh.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
del Castillo, J., and Katz, B., J. Physiol., Lond., 128, 396–411 (1955).
Katz, B., Nerve, Muscle and Synapse (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1966).
Dunant, Y., Gautron, J., Israel, M., Lesbats, B., and Manaranche, R., J. Neurochem., 19, 1987–2002 (1972).
Molenaar, P. C., Polak, R. L., and Nickolson, V. J., J. Neurochem., 21, 667–678 (1973).
Richter, J. A., and Marchbanks, R. M., J. Neurochem., 18, 705–712 (1971).
Tauc, L., Hoffmann, A., Tsuju, S., Hinzen, D. H., and Faille, L., Nature, 250, 496–498 (1974).
Heuser, J., and Reese, T., J. Cell Biol., 57, 315–344 (1973).
Holtzman, E., and Peterson, E. R., J. Cell Biol., 40, 863–869 (1969).
Ceccarelli, B., Hurlbut, W. P., and Mauro, A., J. Cell Biol., 57, 499–524 (1973).
Fatt, P., J. Physiol., Lond., 114, 408–422 (1950).
Betz, W., and Sakmann, B., J. Physiol., Lond., 230, 673–688 (1973).
Hall, Z. W., and Kelly, R. B., Nature new Biol., 232, 62–63 (1971).
Kreutzberg, G. W., and Kaiya, H., Histochemistry, 42, 233–237 (1974).
Crevier, M., and Belanger, L. F., Science, 122, 256–257 (1955).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
POLITOFF, A., BLITZ, A. & ROSE, S. Incorporation of acetylcholinesterase into synaptic vesicles is associated with blockade of synaptic transmission. Nature 256, 324–325 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/256324a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/256324a0
This article is cited by
-
Cell-bound cholinesterase inTrichoderma harzianum
Current Microbiology (1994)
-
Time course and frequency dependence of synaptic vesicle depletion and recovery in electrically stimulated sympathetic ganglia
Journal of Neurocytology (1987)
-
Intracellular localization of acetylcholinesterase in nerve terminals and capillaries of the rat superior cervical ganglion
Journal of Neurocytology (1978)
-
Ultrastructural localization of a new neuronal peptide (VIP)
Histochemistry (1977)
-
Changes of the phosphatidylcholine content and the number of synaptic vesicles in relation to the neurohumoral transmission in sympathetic ganglia
Experientia (1976)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
