Saturable [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin transport into cholinergic synaptic vesicles

Nicola C. Day*, Daniela Wien, Daniel M. Michaelson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Incubation of cholinergic synaptic vesicles purified from the electric organ of Torpedo ocellata with radiolabeled [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin results in its accumulation in the vesicles. Kinetic analysis of the initial rates of uptake reveals temperature-dependent saturation kinetics which are best fitted by a single transport system (KT = 12 ± 2 μM and Vmax = 0.85 ± 0.24 pmol mg protein per min). The specific rates and extents of [3H]-[D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin uptake, like those of [3H]acetylcholine uptake, are highest in the purified synaptic vesicles fraction. These findings suggest that Torpedo cholinergic synaptic vesicles contain an opioid peptide transporter. The physiological significance of this transporter is discussed in view of the recent observation that Torpedo nerve terminals contain an endogenous enkephalin-like peptide and presynaptic opiate receptors. Enkephalin uptake Synaptic vesicle Acetylcholine Torpedo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-28
Number of pages4
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume183
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Apr 1985

Funding

FundersFunder number
Fund for Basic Research administeredb y the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities
US-Israel Binational ScienceF oundation2410

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