Fig. 4.

Single-channel patch-clamp analysis of MS channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. A thin glass pipette is used to puncture a Xenopus oocyte, indicated by the dashed box in (A), capturing a patch of membrane in the tip, as shown in (B). Negative pressure (suction) introduced through the pipette deforms the patch of membrane, increasing membrane tension and gating intrinsically MS ion channels (C). A step-wise increase in current can be observed as individual channels present in the patch pipette open upon application of suction (D) (E. Haswell and G. Maksaev, unpublished data).