Cultured neurons infected with an HSV-1-derived vector remain electrically excitable and responsive to neurotransmitter.
Vectors derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) have allowed foreign genes to be expressed in differentiated postmitotic neurons, but the usefulness of these infected neurons for electrophysiological studies has not been examined. Using a latent, non-pathogenic recombinant HSV-1 virus, we expressed E. coli beta-galactosidase in identified rat cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons in culture. The electrophysiological properties of the infected cholinergic neurons were examined. The neurons remained electrically excitable and responsive to neurotransmitter.
Farkas
R H
RH
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (M/C 512), University of Illinois, College of Medicine at Chicago 60612.
Nakajima
S
S
Nakajima
Y
Y
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009496:Neurotensin; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase