RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Amphetamine redistributes dopamine from synaptic vesicles to the cytosol and promotes reverse transport JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 4102 OP 4108 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.15-05-04102.1995 VO 15 IS 5 A1 D Sulzer A1 TK Chen A1 YY Lau A1 H Kristensen A1 S Rayport A1 A Ewing YR 1995 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/15/5/4102.abstract AB Whether amphetamine acts principally at the plasma membrane or at synaptic vesicles is controversial. We find that d-amphetamine injection into the Planorbis giant dopamine neuron causes robust dopamine release, demonstrating that specific amphetamine uptake is not required. Arguing for action at vesicles, whole-cell capillary electrophoresis of single Planorbis dopamine neurons shows that amphetamine reduces vesicular dopamine, while amphetamine reduces quantal dopamine release from PC12 cells by > 50% per vesicle. Intracellular injection of dopamine into the Planorbis dopamine neuron produces rapid nomifensine-sensitive release, showing that an increased substrate concentration gradient is sufficient to induce release. These experiments indicate that amphetamine acts at the vesicular level where it redistributes dopamine to the cytosol, promoting reverse transport, and dopamine release.