Electroanalytical eavesdropping on single cell communication

Abstract

This article reviews measurement of single cell exocytosis with microelectrodes, covering history, basic instrumentation, cell types investigated, and fundamental insight gained.

Figure 1

Steps of exocytosis.

Figure 2

Instrumental setup for a CFM electrochemistry experiment. (A) CFM (right) is placed on a single cell with the stimulating pipette (left) near the cell. (B) Bright field image of the experimental setup showing the CFM and stimulating pipette positioned on a single mast cell. (C) Representative color plot obtained by FSCV. (D) Representative amperometric trace obtained using CFMA on a mast cell. Figure (C) modified with permission from American Chemical Society from Reference .

Figure 3

(A) Correlation of spike parameters and phases of exocytosis. (B) Example false-color plot of serotonin release. (C) Voltammogram obtained from serotonin release of a single platelet (solid line) and serotonin standard solution (dotted line). Figures (B) and (C) modified with permission from American Chemical Society from Reference .

Figure 4

Molecular structures of (A) epinephrine, (B) norepinephrine, and (C) serotonin (upper, solid line in the voltammogram) and histamine (lower, dotted line in the voltammogram) with corresponding voltammograms. Figures (A) and (B) modified with permission from American Chemical Society from Reference , and Figure (C) modified with permission from American Chemical Society from Reference .