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Dense Core Vesicles

Meaning

Dense Core Vesicles (DCVs) are specialized, membrane-bound organelles found primarily within neurons and endocrine cells, serving as the storage and release sites for large signaling molecules like neuropeptides and protein hormones. These vesicles are characterized by their electron-dense appearance under electron microscopy, which is a result of the high concentration of their cargo molecules. DCVs are essential components of the regulated secretory pathway, ensuring that potent signaling substances are released in a controlled, stimulus-dependent manner. They represent a crucial cellular infrastructure for endocrine communication.