title: Inhibiting synthesis of extracellular matrix improves patch clamp seal formation.
abstract: The ability to form gigaohm seals is essential for patch-clamp studies. Cells with otherwise useful properties must be abandoned for electrophysiological studies if seal formation is not possible. We have found that by inhibiting the growth of extracellular matrix with beta-D-xyloside, the success of forming gigaohm seals increased from near 0% to near 100%. Treated cells remained viable and appeared morphologically similar to untreated cells. Prototype treatment protocols are given for the renin secreting cell line As4.1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo 14214.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Izu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sachs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007473:Ion Channels; D051379:Mice; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D006027:Glycosides; D007473:Ion Channels; C010807:xylosides