Demonstration of electron-dense material in clear synaptic vesicles using cationic ferrocenyl compounds.

Electron-dense material in clear synaptic vesicles in rat cerebral cortex and neuromuscular junctions of frog cutaneous pectoris muscle was demonstrated by using ferrocenyl cationics. Electron-dense spots were usually attached to the inner surface of the vesicular membrane. Control experiments (treatment with Triton X-100 or cetylpyridinium chloride; enzyme digestion with trypsin, hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, sulfatase and beta-glucuronidase) suggested that the electron-dense material is a glycoprotein.