Synaptosomal fractions of cat cerebral cortex after hypo-osmotic and detergent treatment

Different synaptosomal fractions were prepared by subcellular fractionation from cat cerebral cortex. The seperated nerve ending fractions differed in both density and osmotic sensitivity. Synaptosomal ghosts were obtained by hypo-osmotic treatment. In the synaptosomal ghost fractions the synaptic areas seemed to be intact morphologically. The morphology of the "synaptic triad" (pre- and postsynaptic membranes and the synaptic cleft) was not affected even by treatment with Triton X-100 non-ionic detergent (0.6%). The solubilizing effect of different concentrations of the detergent was checked in the supernatants and in the insoluble residues. The homogeneity of various subcellular fractions and the effect of the osmotic and detergent treatments are discussed.