title: A simple method for recording single-channel activity from synaptic plasma membranes.
abstract: Due to the small size of most nerve terminals, the ion channels which underlie presynaptic currents are usually inaccessible to investigation by conventional electrophysiological techniques. Here we describe a simple method for obtaining single-channel recordings from synaptic plasma membranes that does not require exposure of the native membranes to exogenous lipids or fusogens. To illustrate the method, we have recorded single-channel activity from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomal membranes. Under conditions designed to isolate calcium-independent currents, we describe three channel types that are most commonly observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, South Kensington, London, UK.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Tibbs
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Dolly
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Lieb
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Franks
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D009482:Neurophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels