Development of selective blockers for Ca²(+)-activated Cl channel using Xenopus laevis oocytes with an improved drug screening strategy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ca²(+)-activated Cl⁻ channels (CaCCs) participate in many important physiological processes. However, the lack of effective and selective blockers has hindered the study of these channels, mostly due to the lack of good assay system. Here, we have developed a reliable drug screening method for better blockers of CaCCs, using the endogeneous CaCCs in Xenopus laevis oocytes and two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) technique.

Results

Oocytes were prepared with a treatment of Ca²(+) ionophore, which was followed by a treatment of thapsigargin which depletes Ca²(+) stores to eliminate any contribution of Ca²(+) release. TEVC was performed with micropipette containing chelerythrine to prevent PKC dependent run-up or run-down. Under these conditions, Ca²(+)-activated Cl⁻ c

SUBMITTER: Oh SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2585076 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature