Figure 8. Spontaneous firing and heating protocol.

Spontaneous firing recording in control (A) and mutant (B) LNs as temperature is elevated from 22 °C to 35 °C. Due to our ex vivo preparation, we can run any protocol under different conditions. Since our lab studies mutant lines with temperature-sensitive phenotypes, recordings at high temperature are imperative for our understanding of the channel and cellular consequences of channel mutations. Major trace aspects we analyze are spike and burst thresholds, frequencies, and durations. Wildtype cells exhibit increased firing at elevated temperatures (A). The sustained depolarizations in mutants (B) were largely a heat-sensitive phenotype and indicated a gain-of-function mutation for sodium channel activity ( Schutte et al., 2016 ). (Additional equipment: Harvard Apparatus In-Line Solution Heater and Harvard Apparatus Temperature Controller)