Electrophysiological recording from parasitic nematode muscle.
Infection of man and animals with parasitic nematodes is recognized as a significant global problem (McLeod in Int J Parasitol 25(11):1363-1367, 1994; Hotez et al. in N Engl J Med 357(10):1018-1027, 2007). At present control of these infections relies primarily on chemotherapy. There are a limited number of classes of anthelmintic compounds and the majority of these act on ion-channels of the parasite (Martin et al. in Parasitology 113:S137-S156, 1996). In this report, we describe electrophysiological recording techniques as applied to parasitic nematodes. The aim of this report is: (1) to promote the study of ion channels in nematodes to help further the understanding of antinematodal drug action; (2) to describe our recording equipment and experimental protocols; and (3) provide some examples of the information to be gleaned from this approach and how it can increase our understanding of these important pathogens.
Robertson
Alan P
AP
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. alanr@iastate.edu
Puttachary
Sreekanth
S
Buxton
Samuel K
SK
Martin
Richard J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D009348:Nematoda / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D007473:Ion Channels