Premium
Voltage‐induced morphological modifications in oocyte membranes containing exogenous K + channels studied by electrochemical scanning force microscopy
Author(s) -
Alessandrini Andrea,
Gavazzo Paola,
Picco Cristiana,
Facci Paolo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20552
Subject(s) - membrane , biophysics , membrane potential , xenopus , chemistry , ion channel , microscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , electrochemistry , oocyte , potentiostat , voltage gated ion channel , electrode , biology , chromatography , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , optics , embryo , physics , receptor , gene
We report on a novel use of electrochemical scanning force microscopy (SFM) for the investigation of morphological modifications occurring in plasma membranes containing voltage‐gated ion channels, on membrane potential variation. Membrane patches of Xenopus laevis oocytes microinjected with exogenous KAT1 cRNA, deposited by a stripping method at the surface of a derivatized gold film in inside‐out configuration, have been imaged by SFM in an electrochemical cell. A potentiostat was used to maintain a desired potential drop across the membrane. Performing imaging at potential values corresponding to open (−120 mV) and closed (+20 mV) states for KAT1, morphological differences in localized sample zones were observed. Particularly, cross‐shaped features involving a significant membrane portion appear around putative channel locations. The reported approach constitutes the first demonstration of an SPM‐based experimental technique suitable to investigate the rearrangements occurring to the plasma membrane containing voltage‐gated channels on transmembrane potential variation. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.