title: A novel mechanical dissociation technique for studying acutely isolated maturing Drosophila central neurons.
abstract: A novel mechanical method, for studying acutely isolated maturing Drosophila central neurons, has been developed. Electrophysiological experiments have been carried out to assess the quality of these acutely dissociated neurons. The mechanically dissociated Drosophila central neurons were divided into three categories depending on their size and morphological features. Four types of whole-cell K(+) currents were identified in these neurons, based on their kinetic properties. Moreover, the K(+) currents in the new preparation were found to have similar electrophysiological and pharmacological properties to those reported in the cultured neurons. The new technique, however, was more rapid and convenient. Furthermore, this new system was successfully applied to the isolation of neurons from the adult Drosophila, a process that is extremely difficult by routinely used methods. Thus, this new preparation would be very reliable and applicable to preparing Drosophila central neurons for biophysical and physiological studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, and Laboratory of Brain Function and Cellular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, P.O. Box 4, Hefei 230027, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C066585:triethylammonium cation; D015761:4-Aminopyridine