A simple method for recording single-channel activity from synaptic plasma membranes.
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.
Hall
A C
AC
Department of Biochemistry, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, South Kensington, London, UK.
Tibbs
G R
GR
Dolly
J O
JO
Lieb
W R
WR
Franks
N P
NP
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
D015221:Potassium Channels