Adult rat brain synaptic vesicles I. Isolation and characterization

Synaptic vesicles were isolated from adult rat brain in a form which seemed to be 90–95% pure by chemical and enzymatic assay. The only significant contaminant was the synaptosomal plasma membrane. Contamination with Golgi apparatus and lysosomes appeared limited although some uncertainty remains on this point. The vesicles are sufficiently pure for valid analytical studies to be performed, but the possibility of internal heterogeneity of the preparations must be taken into account.