Fluorescent Tarantula Probe for Potassium Ion Channels (VIDEO)
Caption
The video shows the imaging capabilities of the fluorescent tarantula toxin probe to observe the Kv2 potassium ion channels 'turning on' in live nerve cells. The cell on the left was kept at a constant resting voltage while the cell on the right was electrically stimulated to specific voltages. Because both cellular membranes contain Kv2 potassium ion channels, a specific type of voltage-activated protein associated with epilepsy when dysfunctional, they shine brightly as the probe binds to the channel protein. But when the cell on the right is activated by increasing voltage, the signal dims as the tarantula toxins fall off. When the cells are returned to the resting voltage, the tatarantula toxins find the channels again.
Credit
The video was produced by the late Kenneth S. Eum, Lillian Patrón and Christophe Dupré, all of UC Davis.
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License
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