Patch-Clamp Recording of Voltage-Sensitive Ca²⁺ Channels

Abstract

In this article, we focus on a refinement of the traditional voltage-clamp methods that are used to measure current from whole cells, or relatively large areas of membrane, called the patch-clamp technique. Although this technique has extended the application of voltage-clamp methods to the recording of ionic currents flowing through single channels, in its whole-cell configuration it has become the most widely used method for recording ionic currents. We give particular attention to the study of voltage-gated (Ca_V) Ca²⁺ channels using the patch-clamp technique and discuss some aspects of the molecular physiology of these proteins.