Measurement of intrasynaptosomal free calcium by using the fluorescent indicator quin-2.

The recently synthesized calcium indicator quin -2 was incorporated into synaptosomes from guinea-pig cerebral cortex following uptake and internal hydrolysis of quin -2 tetra-acetoxymethyl ester. Incubation in physiological media containing 1 mM- or 2 mM-CaCl2 led to equilibrium cytosolic ionized calcium concentrations of 85 +/- 10 nM and 205 +/- 5 nM respectively (mean +/- S.E.M. from eight and eighteen preparations respectively). Cytosolic Ca2+ was elevated following increases in external Ca2+ concentration, plasma membrane depolarization, mitochondrial inhibition, calcium ionophore addition or replacement of external sodium by lithium. Preliminary experiments were performed to assess changes in cytosolic Ca2+ accompanying the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.