Dense Core Vesicles
Dense Core Vesicles - Related Videos
09:30
Super-resolution Imaging of Neuronal Dense-core Vesicles
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Cited by 3 •
2014
We describe how to implement photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM)-based studies of vesicles in fixed, cultured neurons. Key components of our protocol include labeling vesicles with photoconvertible chimeras, collecting sparsely sampled raw images with a super-resolution microscopy system, and processing the raw images to produce a super-resolution image.
09:45
Live Imaging of Dense-core Vesicles in Primary Cultured Hippocampal Neurons
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Cited by 10 •
2009
Live cell imaging is of particular utility when studying the dynamics of organelle trafficking. Here we describe a protocol for live imaging of dense-core vesicles in cultured neurons using wide-field fluorescence microscopy. This protocol is flexible and can be adapted to image other organelles such as mitochondria, endosomes, and peroxisomes.
02:10
The Nucleosome Core Particle
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2020
Nucleosomes are the DNA-histone complex, where the DNA strand is wound around the histone core. The histone core is an octamer containing two copies of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 histone proteins. The paradox Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
10:52
Formation of Thick Dense Yttrium Iron Garnet Films Using Aerosol Deposition
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Cited by 7 •
2015
This report describes the use of a custom-built system to perform aerosol deposition of thick films of yttrium iron garnet onto sapphire substrates at RT. The deposited films are characterized using scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, and ferromagnetic resonance to give a representative overview of the capabilities of the technique.
01:13
Dense Connective Tissue
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2025
Dense connective tissue contains more collagen fibers than loose connective tissue. As a consequence, it displays greater resistance to stretching. There are two major categories of dense connective tissue— regular and irregular. Dense Regular Connective Tissue In dense regular connective tissue, fibers are arranged parallel to each other, enhancing its tensile strength and resistance to stretching in the direction of the fiber orientations. Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular...
FAQs
Maturation begins after formation in the trans-Golgi network, where cargo becomes increasingly concentrated and undergoes processing. This progression produces the characteristic dense proteinaceous core and prepares the organelle for stimulus-dependent secretion. Following maturation, membrane-associated components support its movement toward the plasma membrane, linking cargo preparation with later regulated release in neurons and endocrine cells.
Membrane proteins coordinate several distinct stages rather than serving a single function. They help guide vesicle transport, support docking at the plasma membrane, and participate in membrane fusion during exocytosis. Separating these roles is important because a defect in transport, docking, or fusion could impair secretion even when the vesicle has formed and its signaling cargo has been processed.
An increase in intracellular calcium provides the stimulus that triggers dense core vesicle exocytosis. This requirement allows neurons and endocrine cells to release stored signaling molecules in response to an appropriate cellular signal instead of continuously emptying their vesicle contents. Calcium-dependent control therefore connects cellular stimulation to timed secretion, supporting regulated neuromodulation and hormone release.
The electron-dense appearance indicates that the vesicle contains a concentrated proteinaceous cargo core. This visual feature can therefore provide information about cargo accumulation during maturation rather than representing an unrelated structural coating. Examining the core helps researchers connect vesicle morphology with the storage of neuropeptides, peptide hormones, and other signaling molecules before release.
In neurons, these vesicles contribute to the controlled release of neuropeptides and related signaling molecules, supporting communication and neuromodulation. In endocrine cells, the same regulated secretory logic applies to peptide hormone release. Studying both settings reveals shared principles of cargo storage, vesicle trafficking, docking, fusion, and stimulus-dependent secretion across distinct biological systems.
Investigating these organelles can identify how disrupted trafficking or secretion affects cellular communication. Researchers can examine whether problems arise during cargo concentration and processing, transport, docking, membrane fusion, or calcium-triggered release. Such analysis is relevant to disorders involving impaired vesicle trafficking or secretion because it links a cellular defect with altered neuronal signaling or endocrine physiology.