Increases in intracellular calcium concentration are required for the release of neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminals
in all neurons. However, the mechanism by which calcium exerts its effect is not known. A low-sensitivity calcium-dependent
photoprotein (n-aequorin-J) was injected into the presynaptic terminal of the giant squid synapse to selectively detect high
calcium concentration microdomains. During transmitter release, light emission occurred at specific points or quantum emission
domains that remained in the same place during protracted stimulation. Intracellular calcium concentration microdomains on
the order of 200 to 300 micromolar occur against the cytoplasmic surface of the plasmalemma during transmitter secretion,
supporting the view that the synaptic vesicular fusion responsible for transmitter release is triggered by the activation
of a low-affinity calcium-binding site at the active zone.