Summary
Methods for measuring whole-cell and unitary Cl− currents in the soma membrane of cultured spinal cord neurons by the patch-clamp technique are described. To separate single channel Cl− currents activated by the two putative inhibitory transmitters GABA and glycine from other membrane currents, isotonic KCl pipette solutions are used for measurements on “cell-attached” membrane patches. To isolate unitary Cl− currents in “cell-free” membrane patches, symmetrical, isotonic Tris Cl− solutions are used in both the pipette and the bath. Single Cl− channels are opened following binding of two agonist molecules to their respective receptors. The gating behavior of single receptor-channel complexes is described in terms of the activation and desensitization mechanism suggested originally by del Castillo and Katz (1957) and Katz and Thesleff (1957).
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Sakmann, B., Hamill, O.P., Bormann, J. (1983). Patch-Clamp Measurements of Elementary Chloride Currents Activated by the Putative Inhibitory Transmitters GABA and Glycine in Mammalian Spinal Neurons. In: Goldstein, M., Jellinger, K., Riederer, P. (eds) Basic Aspects of Receptor Biochemistry. Journal of Neural Transmission, vol 18. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-4408-4_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-4408-4_8
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