title: G-Protein Modulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels from Isolated Adult Rat Superior Cervical Ganglion Neurons.
abstract: Sympathetic neurons isolated from adult rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) are a well-established model to study G-protein modulation of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (VGCCs). SCG neurons can be easily dissociated and are amendable to heterologous expression of genes, including genetic tools to study G-protein signaling pathways, within a time frame to maintain good spatial voltage-clamp control of membrane potential during electrophysiological recordings (8-36 h postdissociation). This protocol focuses on examining G-protein modulation of VGCCs; however, the procedures and experimental setup for acute application of agonists can be applied to study modulation of other ion channels (e.g., M-current, G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K(+) channels). We also discuss some common sources of artifacts that can arise during acute drug application onto dissociated neurons, which can mislead interpretation of results.
authors.affiliation: Section on Transmitter Signaling, Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9411.
authors.forename: Van B
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4880-6455
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Section on Transmitter Signaling, Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9411.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4088-9508
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ikeda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins