Quantal transmitter release by glioma cells: quantification of intramembrane particle changes.

Glial cells in situ are able to release neurotransmitters such as glutamate or acetylcholine (ACh). Glioma C6BU-1 cells were used to determine whether the mechanisms of ACh release by a glial cell line are similar or not to quantal release from neurones. Individual C6BU-1 cells, pre-filled with ACh, were moved into contact with a Xenopus myocyte that was used as a real-time ACh detector.

A metallic multisite recording system designed for continuous long-term monitoring of electrophysiological activity in slice cultures.

This paper describes a flexible, metallic multielectrode array, made on kapton to fit in a recording chamber for interface-type organotypic cultures. This multisite recording system is designed for continuous multisite monitoring of electrophysiological activity in rat brain organotypic slice cultures. The system is composed of a signal conditioning set-up, which also masters electrical stimulation paradigms and a card containing the microelectrode array.

A simple, low-cost and fast Peltier thermoregulation set-up for electrophysiology.

Most of the parameters recorded in electrophysiology are strongly temperature dependent. In order to control temperature fluctuations we have built a system that ensures an accurate thermoregulation of the recording chamber. Temperature of physiological preparations can be changed relatively quickly (about 8 degrees C/min) and with a good accuracy (+/- 0.

Zinc blocks acetylcholine release but not vesicle fusion at the Torpedo nerve-electroplate junction.

The combined effects of Zn2+ treatment and nerve stimulation were studied on cholinergic synapses of the Torpedo marmorata electric organ. Incubation of small pieces of electric tissue in 250 microM ZnCl2 for 2 h irreversibly blocked synaptic transmission by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. This treatment, however, did not cause any significant fine structural alteration in the nerve-electroplate junctions.

Simple goniometric search for electron microscopy.

We developed a special software to memorize specific points on a grid for later fine analysis. This program is based on a goniometry search, and implemented on the PC coupled microscope. This allows automatic shifting of the grid, but it can also be programmed on a simple pocket calculator.