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. 2006 Jul 7;12(25):4086-8.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i25.4086.

Whole-cell recordings of calcium and potassium currents in acutely isolated smooth muscle cells

Qing Cai  1 , Zhong-Liang Zhu, Xiao-Li Fan
Affiliations

Whole-cell recordings of calcium and potassium currents in acutely isolated smooth muscle cells

Qing Cai et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To record calcium and potassium currents in acutely isolated smooth muscle cells of mesenteric arterial branches in rats.

Methods: Smooth muscle cells were freshly isolated by collagenase digest and mechanical trituration with polished pipettes. Patch clamp technique in whole-cell mode was employed to record calcium and potassium currents.

Results: The procedure dissociated smooth muscle cells without impairing the electrophysiological characteristics of the cells. The voltage-gated Ca2+ and potassium currents were successfully recorded using whole-cell patch clamp configuration.

Conclusion: The method dissociates smooth muscle cells from rat mesenteric arterial branches. Voltage-gated channel currents can be recorded in this preparation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Voltage-gated calcium currents. A: Pulse protocols for recording voltage-gated Ca2+ current; B: Raw traces of calcium currents elicited in a freshly isolated smooth muscle cell; C: Current–voltage relation of calcium currents with isolated smooth muscle cells.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Delayed rectifier potassium currents. A: Pulse protocols for recording K+ current; B: Raw traces of K+ currents elicited in a freshly isolated smooth muscle cell; C: Current-voltage relation (I-V curve) of K+ currents with isolated smooth muscle cells.
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