Functional Analysis of Connexin Channels in Cultured Cells by Neurobiotin Injection and Visualization

Philipp Wörsdörfer; Klaus Willecke

doi:10.21769/BioProtoc.2325

Functional Analysis of Connexin Channels in Cultured Cells by Neurobiotin Injection and Visualization

Bio Protoc. 2017 Jun 5;7(11):e2325. doi: 10.21769/BioProtoc.2325.

Authors

Philipp Wörsdörfer¹, Klaus Willecke²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Koellikerstraße 6, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
² LIMES Institute, Molecular Genetics, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, 53115 Bonn, Germany.

Abstract

Functional gap junction channels between neighboring cells can be assessed by microinjection of low molecular weight tracer substances into cultured cells. The extent of direct intercellular communication can be precisely quantified by this method. This protocol describes the iontophoretic injection and visualisation of Neurobiotin into cultured cells.

Keywords: Connexin; Gap junction; Iontophoresis; Microinjection; Neurobiotin.