Quality of pronase dissociation of mature inferior colliculus neurons

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2005 Dec;262(12):965-8. doi: 10.1007/s00405-005-0932-3. Epub 2005 Jun 18.

Abstract

One major advantage of acutely dissociated inferior colliculus (IC) neurons in electrophysiological investigations is their complete isolation from the surrounding cellular network. In this way, patch-clamp recordings can be performed under controlled conditions to study membrane properties of IC neurons in more detail. The aim of the present study was to adapt a dissociation method for immature IC neurons to the highly sensitive, fragile and vulnerable mature IC neurons of mammals (mice). The modification of a pronase-based dissociation protocol with respect to concentration, incubation time and handling (trituration) of the cells yielded intact, live IC neurons with a clean cell surface so that they were well suited for further electrophysiological investigations in our study. The largely modified dissociation protocol is described in detail and critically discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Inferior Colliculi / metabolism
  • Inferior Colliculi / physiology*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Pronase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Pronase