large dense core vesicles

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Large dense core vesicle (LDCVs) are lipid vesicles in neurons and secretory cells which may be filled with neurotransmitters, such as catecholamines or neuropeptides. LDVCs release their content through SNARE-mediated exocytosis similar to synaptic vesicles.{{Cite journal |last=Edwards |first=Robert H |date=December 1998 |title=Neurotransmitter release: Variations on a theme |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982207005519 |journal=Current Biology |volume=8 |issue=24 |pages=R883–R885 |doi=10.1016/s0960-9822(07)00551-9 |pmid=9843673 |bibcode=1998CBio....8.R883E |issn=0960-9822}} One key difference between synaptic vesicles and LDCVs is that protein synaptophysin which is present in the membrane of synaptic vesicles is absent in LDCVs.{{Cite journal |last=Winkler |first=H. |date=1997-08-01 |title=Membrane Composition of Adrenergic Large and Small Dense Core Vesicles and of Synaptic Vesicles: Consequences for Their Biogenesis |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1022410506476 |journal=Neurochemical Research |language=en |volume=22 |issue=8 |pages=921–932 |doi=10.1023/A:1022410506476 |pmid=9239747 |issn=1573-6903|url-access=subscription }} LDCVs have an electron dense core which appear as a black circle in micrographs obtained with transmission electron microscopy.