Non-stationary fluctuation analysis of macroscopic gap junction channel records

J Membr Biol. 2005 May;205(2):81-8. doi: 10.1007/s00232-005-0765-4.

Abstract

Non-stationary fluctuation analysis was applied to macroscopic records of junctional currents arising from homotypic Cx37 and Cx43 gap junction channels expressed in RIN cells. The data were analyzed by a modification of existing analytical methods that takes endemic uncoupling into account. The results are consistent with both channels having open probabilities ranging from 0.7 to near unity for low transjunctional voltages. The analysis also yielded estimates of single-channel conductances for the two channel types similar to those seen in single-channel recordings. The results presented here show that fluctuation analysis can be used to extract single-channel gap junctional conductances from macroscopic double whole-cell recordings. These results also constitute empirically determined estimates of the open probability that are not model-dependent.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Connexin 43 / genetics
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism*
  • Connexins / genetics
  • Connexins / metabolism*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Gap Junctions / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Insulinoma
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Rats
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Connexins