Methods for Investigating TRP Channel Gating

Abstract

A complete characterization of temperature -and voltage-activated TRP channel gating requires a precise determination of the absolute probability of opening in a wide range of voltages, temperatures, and agonist concentrations. We have achieved this in the case of the TRPM8 channel expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Measurements covered an extensive range of probabilities and unprecedented applied voltages up to 500 mV. In this chapter, we describe animal care protocols of patch-clamp pipette preparation, temperature control methods, and analysis of ionic currents to obtain reliable absolute open channel probabilities.

Keywords: Gating mechanism; Noise analysis; Oocytes extraction; Patch clamp; Pipette pulling; TRP channels; TRPM8; Temperature control; Xenopus care.