Calcium-dependent phosphorylation of specific synaptosomal fraction proteins: Possible role of phosphoproteins in mediating neurotransmitter release

Calcium ions caused a marked increase in the level of endogenous phosphorylation of specific proteins from synaptosomal fractions prepared from rat cerebral cortex. The levels of phosphorylation of these specific proteins were dependent upon the presence of calcium and regulated by small changes in the concenrration of calcium ions. The effect of calcium was independent of ATP concentration over a wide range of concentrations. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that some of the effects of calcium on synaptic transmission might be mediated by the effect of calcium on the phosphorylation of specific synaptosomal proteins.