Abstract
Plasma membranes of chromaffin cells are isolated from the bovine adrenal medulla. Treatment of the membranes in the French press gives vesicles of uniform size, ~85% of which are closed. These are oriented right-side-out to ~95%, as indicated by α-Bungarotoxin-binding, enzymatic activities, aggregation by lectins and presence of membrane-associated actin. The vesicles are able to maintain membrane potentials induced by K+ and valinomycin. The membrane lipids undergo a phase transition in the 30 ° to 40 °C range. Fusion between these vesicles and intact chromaffin granules is observed by two independent assays. The vesicles are potentially useful for modeling catecholamine release by exocytosis.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 143-150 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Advances in the Biosciences |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | C |
State | Published - 1982 |
Keywords
- Adrenal chromaffin cell
- exocytotic fusion
- membrane fluidity
- membrane potential
- membrane sidedness
- model system
- plasma membrane vesicles