A rapid method for the preparation of relatively pure metabolically competent synaptosomes from rat brain

Biochem J. 1978 Nov 15;176(2):365-70. doi: 10.1042/bj1760365.

Abstract

A rapid (less than 2h) method is described for the preparation of synaptosomes from rat brain by using a discontinuous Ficoll/sucrose gradient by a flotation technique. These synaptosomes are metabolically active and minimally (less than 5%) contaminated with 'free' mitochondria as judged by marker-enzyme assays and electron microscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / ultrastructure*
  • Cell Fractionation / methods
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient / methods
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Methods
  • Mitochondria
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Rats
  • Synaptosomes* / metabolism
  • Synaptosomes* / ultrastructure