Sea urchin sperm: An ion channel reconstitution study case
Author
dc.contributor.author
Darszon, A.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Labarca, P.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Beltrán, C.
Author
dc.contributor.author
García-Soto, J.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Liévano, A.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2018-12-20T14:35:47Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2018-12-20T14:35:47Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
1994
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Methods, Volumen 6, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 37-50
Identifier
dc.identifier.issn
10959130
Identifier
dc.identifier.issn
10462023
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
10.1006/meth.1994.1006
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/156586
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
Ionic fluxes play a key role in the activation of respiration and motility, in chemotaxis, and in the acrosome reaction of sea urchin spermatozoa, and therefore in fertilization. There is growing evidence that ion channels mediate some of these fluxes in response to egg components. Since spermatozoa are tiny cells, it has been necessary to use a combination of complementary approaches to unravel ion channel function and regulation in sperm behavior. Planar bilayer and patch clamp techniques have allowed us to detect, for the first time, the activity of single channels in the plasma membrane of these cells. Unlike intact sperm, swollen sperm can be much more easily patch clamped and single channel activity recorded. Thus, patch clamping of swollen sperm and planar bilayers with incorporated sperm membranes provides new avenues for studying ionic channels and their regulation by egg factors and second messengers. These techniques, together with studies of membrane potential, intracellula