Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026
12:14
Subcellular Fractionation for the Isolation of Synaptic Components from the Murine Brain
Published on: September 14, 2022
8.5K
Isolation of Synaptosomes, Synaptic Plasma Membranes, and Synaptic Junctional Complexes
Mary L Michaelis1, Lei Jiang2, Elias K Michaelis2
1Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, 5110 Eagle Ridge Ct, 2099 Constant Ave., Lawrence, KS, 66047-9308, USA. mlm@ku.edu.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 13, 2016
Summary
This study details methods for isolating synaptosomes, synaptic plasma membranes, and synaptic junctional complexes. These preparations enable advanced research into neuronal cell communication and neurotransmission.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Synaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) are crucial for studying neurotransmission.
- Synaptosomes contain postsynaptic densities (PSDs) with neurotransmitter receptors.
- Existing methods allow for structural and functional analysis of synapses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the isolation of synaptosomes, synaptic plasma membranes (SPMs), and synaptic junctional complexes (SJCs).
- To enable new technological approaches for studying neuronal cell communication.
- To address unanswered questions about synapse function.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of synaptosomes from brain tissue.
- Preparation of synaptic plasma membranes (SPMs) devoid of internal organelles.
- Isolation of synaptic junctional complexes (SJCs) containing presynaptic and postsynaptic components.
Main Results:
- Established protocols for isolating synaptosomes, SPMs, and SJCs.
- Demonstrated the utility of these preparations for biochemical and cell biological studies.
- Highlighted the potential for investigating synaptic proteins and transport mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Isolated synaptosomes, SPMs, and SJCs are valuable tools for neuroscience research.
- These preparations facilitate detailed studies of synaptic structure, function, and molecular composition.
- Further research using these models will advance understanding of neuronal communication.
Keywords:
Post synaptic densitiesSynaptic junctional complexesSynaptic membrane proteinsSynaptic plasma membranesSynaptosomesUltracentrifugation
