Flexstation examination of 5-HT3 receptor function using Ca2+- and membrane potential-sensitive dyes : Advantages and potential problems

摘要: Abstract The FlexStation is a 96 or 384 fluorescent plate reader with the capability of adding solutions during readings; it therefore has potential to provide high throughput analyses functional characteristics neurotransmitter-gated ion channels that can be examined using changes in fluorescence. 5-HT3 receptor one such protein, as its activation results change membrane due opening Ca2+-permeant, cation-selective channel; studied both Ca2+- and potential-sensitive dyes. Here we have used examine function recombinant receptors expressed HEK293 cells these classes dye. show pharmacological obtained similar those reported other methods, although caution must applied when dye large yield inaccurate EC50s. Modifying constituents buffer, however, so was reduced, yielded EC50 values were previously data. We conclude useful tool for studies examining neurotransmitter result either Ca2+ concentration potential.