Timing AMPA Receptor Activation with Laser-Pulse Photolysis

The use of laser light to liberate glutamate from “caged glutamate” for rapidly initiating AMPA receptor activation enables one to measure the rate of channel opening on the microsecond time scale. From a series of observed rate constants as a function of glutamate concentration, the channel-opening and channel-closing rate constants can be calculated. These kinetic constants define the basic gating property of AMPA receptors. They can also be used to characterize the mechanism of channel regulation by modulatory agents, and the structure-function relationship. Here, I describe the instrumentation of laser-pulse photolysis, data analysis, and advantages as well as limitations of this technique.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: news