One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Summary

Described here is a procedure for obtaining long stretches of current recording from one ion channel with the cell-attached patch-clamp technique. This method allows for observing, in real time, the pattern of open-close channel conformations that underlie the biological signal. These data inform about channel properties in undisturbed biological membranes.

Abstract

Ion channel proteins are universal devices for fast communication across biological membranes. The temporal signature of the ionic flux they generate depends on properties intrinsic to each channel protein as well as the mechanism by which it is generated and controlled and represents an important area of current research. Information about the operational dynamics of ion channel proteins can be obtained by observing long stretches of current produced by a single molecule. Described here is a protocol for obtaining one-channel cell-attached patch-clamp current recordings for a ligand gated ion channel, the NMDA receptor, expressed heterologously in HEK293 cells or natively in cortical neurons. Also provided are instructions on how to adapt the method to other ion channels of interest by presenting the example of the mechano-sensitive channel PIEZO1. This method can provide data regarding the channel’s conductance properties and the temporal sequence of open-closed conformations that make up the channel’s activation mechanism, thus helping to understand their functions in health and disease.

Introduction

Fast communication across biological membranes relies almost exclusively on oligomeric pore forming membrane proteins, commonly referred to as channels. These proteins differ widely in activation signals, gating mechanisms, and conductance properties. Channel proteins whose pores are selective to ions are classified as ion channels; their activation produces ionic currents across the membrane, and their responses can be recorded with high resolution in real time using electrophysiologic techniques. The activation signals span a broad array of chemical and physical inputs including concentration gradients, mechanical and electrical forces, and temperature; thus, furthe....

Protocol

1. Cell Culture and Protein Expression

1. Maintain HEK293 cells (ATCC number CRL-1573) between passages 22 and 40, which includes passages performed by ATCC, in monolayer culture in DMEM supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin mixture at 5% CO₂ and 37 °C. Between experiments, passage cells into T25 flasks at 5-20 fold dilutions in a final volume of 10 ml. Note: Using cells during these passages guarantees favorable cell health which will allow for optimal seal formation and patch stability.
2. For transfection, plate HEK293 cells in 35 mm dishes at a density of ~10⁵ cells/dish, which....

Results

Recombinant NMDA Receptors

NMDA receptors bind and respond to the concomitant action of two co-agonists: glutamate and glycine. They assemble as heterotetramers of two glycine binding GluN1 subunits and two glutamate binding GluN2 subunits. GluN2 subunits are encoded by four genes (A-D) and of these the most widely transcribed forms in brain are GluN2A in adult and GluN2B in juvenile animals. Because of the diversity of NMDA receptor subtypes in native preparations, expressing.......

Discussion

In the ion channel field, an important area of research is dedicated to understanding the sequence of events that leads to channel opening or the channel’s gating mechanism. For most channels, this process is complex and involves several kinetic steps that cannot be deduced from a macroscopic multi-channel signal. In contrast, experiments can be designed where observing the sequence of open/closed events in single channel record can produce more detailed information about gating mechanisms. In the methods described.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Chemicals	Sigma	Various
Borosillicate Glass	Sutter	BF-150-86-10
Bright field inverted microscope	Olympus	1x51	Nikon also has similar microscopes
Fluroescent box	X-cite	Series 120
Liquid Light Guide	X-cite	OEX-LG15
Micromanipulator	Sutter Instruments	MP-225
Oscilloscope	Tektronix	TDS1001
Amplifier	Molecular Devices	Axon Axopatch 200B
Table	TMC	63561
NIDAQ card	National Instruments	776844-01
Puller	Narishige	PC-10
Polisher	Narishige	Microforge MF-830
Faraday Cage	TMC	8133306
High Speed Pressure Clamp	ALA Scientific Instruments	ALA HSPC
Pressue/Vaccuum Pump	ALA Scientific Instruments	ALA PV-PUMP	For HSPC-1