High-throughput calcium imaging screen of toxins’ function in dissociated sensory neurons

Yossi Maatuf, Avi Priel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Many toxins from a variety of venomous animals and plants have evolved to target neuronal ion channels and receptors. However, a significant obstacle in the study of these toxins is the finding and characterization of their specific molecular target. Here, we describe a method for fast and efficient screening of venom and toxin activity using live-cell calcium imaging. We describe the use of Fura-2, a calcium indictor that changes its fluorescence properties in response to intracellular calcium elevations, to measure the activity of neurons from the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. Calcium imaging is an efficient technique for testing many of the venom’s components on large numbers of neurons simultaneously. This technique offers a novel tool for low-cost and rapid characterization of functionally active toxins and their target receptors.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
Pages275-282
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2020

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2068

Keywords

  • Calcium imaging
  • Fluorescent microscopy
  • Fura-2AM
  • High-throughput screening
  • Sensory neurons

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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