Premium
High‐resolution scanning patch‐clamp: new insights into cell function
Author(s) -
Gu Yuchun,
Gorelik Julia,
Spohr Hilmar A.,
Shevchuk Andrew,
Lab Max J.,
Harding Sian E.,
Vodyanoy Igor,
Klenerman David,
Korchev Yuri E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.01-1024fje
Subject(s) - ion channel , myocyte , biophysics , patch clamp , cardiac action potential , chemistry , tubule , coupling (piping) , chloride channel , electrophysiology , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , neuroscience , receptor , biology , repolarization , biochemistry , endocrinology , metallurgy , kidney
Cell specialization is often governed by the spatial distribution of ion channels and receptors on the cell surface. So far, little is known about functional ion channel localization. This is due to a lack of satisfactory methods for investigating ion channels in an intact cell and simultaneously determining the channels‘ positions accurately. We have developed a novel high‐resolution scanning patch‐clamp technique that enables the study of ion channels, not only in small cells, such as sperm, but in submicrometer cellular structures, such as epithelial microvilli, fine neuronal dendrites, and, particularly, T‐tubule openings of cardiac myocytes. In cardiac myocytes, as in most excitable cells, action potential propagation depends essentially on the properties of ion channels that are functionally and spatially coupled. We found that the L‐type calcium and chloride channels are distributed and colocalized in the region of T‐tubule openings, but not in other regions of the myocyte. In addition, chloride channels were found in narrowly defined regions of Z‐grooves. This finding suggests a new synergism between these types of channels that may be relevant for action potential propagation along the T‐tubule system and excitation‐contraction coupling.