Calcium-dependent histidine and histamine release from superfused synaptosomes

The release of radioactive histidine and histamine was studied in a superfusion system by using guinea pig synaptosomes which were preloaded with 3H-histidine. Depolarization by 50 mM K+ induced a simultaneous release of histidine and histamine. The stimulated release of both of these substances was diminished when calcium was removed. The calcium-dependency of histamine release, previously demonstrated in brain slices, was confirmed using synaptosomes. It was also demonstrated that potassium-induced histidine release from guinea pig synaptosomes under superfusion conditions is at least partially calcium-dependent.