Characterization of alpha-latrotoxin interaction with rat brain synaptosomes and PC12 cells

alpha-latrotoxin, a polypeptide neurotoxin purified from the venom of the spider Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttatus, induces a massive release of a variety of neurotransmitters from rat brain synaptosomes and a clonal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12 cells). In both systems secretion of catecholamines is dose- and calcium-dependent. Efflux of catecholamines is coupled with a substantial release of intracellular ATP. Independent of alpha-latrotoxin with PC12 cells is followed by a rapid influx of calcium and sodium ions, the rate being dependent on toxin and calcium concentrations. By reductive methylation it is possible to radioactively label alpha-latrotoxin without appreciable loss of neurotoxicity. A sensitive binding assay in vitro allows the identification of a limited number of specific binding sites in central nervous system synaptic membranes and PC12 cells, for which tritiated alpha-latrotoxin displays nanomolar affinity.