Spectroscopic Signatures of Synaptosomes: ATR-IR Spectroscopy Study

Rat brain synaptosomes were studied with ART-IR spectroscopy and confocal microscopy. The isolated synaptosomes visualized with confocal microscopy look like integral subcellular structures of 0.5-2 mu m in size, which correlates with the literature data. The spectroscopic signatures of synaptosomes incubated at different temperatures: -20, 22, 37, and 42 degrees C, have been identified in the 650-3700 cm(-1) region. Significant changes in the hydrogen bonded N-H, PO2-, and C-N-C groups with temperature are demonstrated.