Figure 3. Effect of the co-expression of the regulatory subunits on the expression of AmNa_V1.

(a) Representative current traces from the pulse protocols applied to oocytes expressing either AmNa_V1 alone or AmNa_V1 and one of its regulatory subunits. The pulse protocols consisted of imposing−80 mV to +40 mV voltage steps in 5 mV increments. The oocytes were kept at the holding potential (−80 mV) for 1 s between voltage steps. (b) Relative amplitudes of the peak currents from oocytes expressing the AmNa_V1 alone or with one regulatory subunit. The peak currents from 13–14 oocytes in response to a −80mV to −20 mV voltage step were measured for each bar. The mean was then normalized to the mean current amplitude measured in the presence of the TipE subunit. The differences between the means were then evaluated for statistical significance using a t-test with Bonferroni’s correction (***significant difference with AmNa_V1 alone, p < 0.001). The oocytes came from the same batch and were tested the same day. (c) Representative current traces of an oocyte expressing AmNa_V1 and TipE in response to a −80 mV to −20 mV voltage step. The current trace in orange was acquired in normal Ringer’s solution while the current trace in black was acquired in Ringer’s solution in which the sodium was replaced by choline.