Whole-Cell Patch Clamp Recording of Voltage-Sensitive Ca2+ Channel Currents: Heterologous Expression Systems and Dissociated Brain Neurons

Voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels (VSCC) play a central role in an extensive array of physiological processes. Their importance in cellular function arises from their ability both to sense membrane voltage and to conduct Ca²⁺ ions, two facets that couple membrane excitability to a key intracellular second messenger. Through this relationship, activation of VSCCs is tightly coupled to the gamut of cellular functions dependent on intracellular Ca²⁺ , including muscle contraction, energy metabolism, gene expression, and exocytotic/endocytotic cycling.