Release of neurotransmitters and depletion of synaptic vesicles in cerebral cortex slices by alpha-latrotoxin from black widow spider venom.

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Abstract
The effect of .alpha.-latrotoxin on mouse cerebral cortex slices was studied by both biochemical and morphological methods. This toxin greatly stimulates the release of preloaded [3H]GABA from cortex slices. The response increases linearly with dose. The release is not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, and therefore it is not mediated by the release of other transmitters from other types of neurons. In contrast, no significant increase in the release of a nontransmitter substance .alpha.-amino[14C]isobutyric acid is observed. Previously, .alpha.-latrotoxin stimulated the release of acetylcholine and norepinephrine from cortex slices, it appears that the toxin probably selectively releases all neurotransmitters. The toxin also profoundly depletes the synaptic vesicle population in boutons in the cortex slices. The release of neurotransmitter and the depletion of synaptic vesicle in boutons are probably manifestations of a single action of the toxin. .alpha.-Latrotoxin can be used as a good tool for the identification of neurotransmitters and in studies on the mechanism of neurotransmitter release.