title: Pressure-clamp technique for measurement of the relaxation kinetics of mechanosensitive channels.
abstract: The pressure-clamp technique, used in conjunction with patch-clamp techniques, allows the application of precise pressure/suction waveforms to membrane patches and whole cells. Using step perturbations in pressure, it allows rapid relaxation measurements of the latency, turn-on, turn-off and adaptation kinetics of mechanosensitive membrane ion channels. The pressure-clamp technique also provides the ability to apply gentle and reproducible sealing protocols to establish tight seals and thereby minimize membrane-cytoskeleton disruption which can otherwise alter channel properties.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0641.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Hamill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D010812:Physical Stimulation
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels