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| Thanks to the following for materials & support |
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Excitable Cells
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Excitable cells of all types (eg. neurons, muscle cells and beta cells) lend themselves to experimentation through integrated technologies. The BRC has developed or brought together just such an integrated approach where multi-modality collection can occur in real time and wherever possible simultaneously. This includes integrated platforms for electrochemistry, electrophysiology and imaging - all targeted at the single cell level. Newer luminescent and low light imaging systems have also been developed with the target of measuring the luciferase/luciferin/ATP interaction.
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 A single rat neonatal cardiac myocyte, within a field of confluent myocytes, transfected with anit-apoptotic BCLxL-EGFP protein (green). Overexpression with BCLxL increases survival of myocytes during hypoxia-reperfusion treatment. Nucleus is stained with DAPI (blue) and z-lines of individual sarcomeres are shown, exhibiting positive immunoreactivity for sarcomeric actinin (Alexa fluor 546-conjugated Ab; purple). Inset shows BCLxL (green) targeting to mitochondrial membranes in same cell. Mitochondria are stained with Mitotracker-deep-red. This study follows an ongoing investigation on the effects of BCLxL on hippocampal neurons with regards to development (Li et al, 2008) and the alteration in metabolic demand and ATP production (Collis et al, in preparation). The results of these studies have exciting implications for interventions in stroke and ischemia. Scale bar is 10µm. Photographed by Leon Collis (BRC)
Li, H., Chen, Y., Jones, A.F., Sanger, R.H., Collis, L.P., Flannery, R., McNay, E.C., Schwartzenbacher, R., Bossy, B., Bossy-Wetzel, E., Bennett, M.V.L., Pypaert, M., Hickman, J.A., Smith, P.J.S., Hardwick, J.M. and Jonas, E.A. 2008. BCL-xL induces Drp1-dependent synapse formation in cultured hippocampal neurons. PNAS. 105(6): 2169-2174.
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| • Membrane voltage in spinal cord/muscle regeneration >> |
| • Beta cell oscillatory response is not a result of a single component action >> |
| • BCL-XL and the heart; The metabolic basis to cardioprotection and disease >> |
| • Neuronal glucose detection & hypoglycemia- associated autonomic failure >> |
| • Protein synthesis as related to long term memory >> |
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• Insulin secretion from pancreatic islet beta cells >>
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| • The mechanism of action of a newly developed blood- glucose lowering hormone>> |
| • Mitochondrial activity within a living synapse >> |
| • Regulation of proton fluxes from retinal neurons >> |
| • Development and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction >> |
| • Functional heterogeneity of mitochondria in an individual pancreatic beta cell >> |
| • Incretin action of fatty acids in glucose- stimulated insulin secretion >> |
| • Imaging the distribution and movement of bodipy-FA in beta cells >> |
| • Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in invertebrate (echinoderm) smooth muscle >> |
| • Myocellular energy metabolism: studies using self- referencing miroelectrodes >> |
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| Molina, A.J.A., Verzi, M.P., Birnbaum, A.D., Yamoah, E.N., Hammar, K., Smith, P.J.S., Malchow, R.P. 2004. Neurotransmitter modulation of extracellular H+ fluxes from isolated retinal horizontal cells of the skate. Journal of Physiology-London 560:639-657. |
| Devlin C.L., Amole W., Anderson S. and Shea, K. 2003. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor compounds alter net Ca(+) flux and contractibility in an invertebrate smooth muscle. Invertebrate Neuroscience, 5(1): 9-17. |
| McDonough, S.I. 2003. Peptide toxin inhibition of voltage gated calcium channels: selectivity and mechanisms. IN: Calcium channel pharmacology. New York: Kluwer/Academic/Plenum. |
| McDonough, S.I., Boland, L.M., Mintz, I.M. and Bean B,P,. 2002. Interactions among toxins that inhibit N-type and P-type calcium channels. Journal of General Physiology, 119(4): 313-28. | |
| Malchow, R.P. and Ramsey, D.J. 1999. Responses of retinal Muller cells to neurotransmitter candidates: a comparative survey. Biological Bulletin, 197: 229-230.
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Equipment
