title: Connexin-based channels in astrocytes: how to study their properties.
abstract: A typical feature of astrocytes is their high level of connexin expression. These membrane proteins constitute the molecular basis of two types of channels: gap junction channels that allow direct cytoplasm-to-cytoplasm communication and hemichannels that provide a pathway for exchanges between the intra- and extracellular media. An unusual property of these channels is their permeability for ions but also for small signaling molecules. They support intercellular communication that contribute to dynamic neuroglial interaction and interplay with neuronal activity and survival. Here, we describe multiple techniques based either on electrophysiological approaches or the monitoring of dye intercellular diffusion and uptake that permits an investigation of the properties of gap junction channels and hemichannels, respectively. These techniques are applied in astrocyte studies using in vitro models, mainly primary cultures and acute brain slices.
authors.affiliation: CIRB, CNRS UMR7241/INSERM U1050 Collège de France, Paris, France. christian.giaume@college-de-france.fr
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giaume
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Orellana
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Abudara
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sáez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006531:HEPES; D006652:Histological Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006531:HEPES