Mechanisms of the release of 3H-noradrenaline by dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) in the rat vas deferens

In the rat vas deferens, DMPP is a substrate of uptake, (Krn = 11.5 μmol/I). After block of vesicular uptake, monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyl transferase, after loading of the tissue with 3H-noradrenaline, and in calcium-free solution (i. e., when axoplasmic 3H-noradrenaline levels were high and when depolarization-induced exocytotic release was impossible), DMPP induced a pronounced outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline. On the other hand, when, in similar experiments, vesicular uptake and monoamine oxidase were intact (i.e., when axoplasmic 3H-noradrenaline levels were low), DMPP induced very little outward transport of 3H-noradrenaline. This discrepancy indicates that DMPP has little ability to mobilize vesicularly stored 3H-amine.