Investigation of potassium channels in neurons and nerve fibers using a quantum-dot-potassium-channel-blocker complex

Abstract

A fluorescent complex comprising semiconductor nanocrystals (CdTe quantum dots) and a potassium channel blocker, agitoxin (AgTx), is suggested for investigating the allocation of potassium channels (such as Kv1x) in neurons and myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. It is shown that the distribution of potassium channels (Kv1x) on a neuron membrane, as well as that on myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers, is irregular. It is proven using the competitive binding of the AgTx-CdTe complex and other potassium channel blockers that complex binding with potassium channels on a neuron membrane is reversible and specific. This method makes it possible to investigate the allocation of channels on an isolated neuron membrane, as well as that on a membrane of a neuron connected with other neurons in vivo. The inhomogeneous allocation of potassium channels due to their morphological features and functioning is suggested.