Name: giant liposome preparation for imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology
Uploaded: 2013-06-21T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Giant Liposome Preparation for Imaging and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology at JoVE.com

We thank Bryan Venema and Eric Martinson for constructing the electroformation apparatus. This work was funded by grants from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (R01GM100718 to SEG) and the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (R01EY017564 to SEG).

1. Deposition of Lipids from Organic Solvents: Classical Protocol
<ol>
	<li>Remove lipids from storage at -20 &deg;C or -80 &deg;C; warm to RT. Caution: lipids are extremely hygroscopic, and many are sensitive to oxygen. Cover lipids in dry Argon or Nitrogen gas and in all steps minimize exposure to air.</li>
	<li>If necessary, suspend the lipids in chloroform or cyclohexane at 1-10 mg/ml; note that manufacturer's stated concentrations are typically nominal only. CAUTION: Wear appropriate ...

<ol>
	<li>Dimova, R., Aranda, S., Bezlyepkina, N., Nikolov, V., Riske, K. A., Lipowsky, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+practical+guide+to+giant+vesicles.+Probing+the+membrane+nanoregime+via+optical+microscopy.">A practical guide to giant vesicles. Probing the membrane nanoregime via optical microscopy.</a> Journal of Physics-Condensed Matter. 18 (28), S1151-S1176 (2006).</li><li>Luisi, P. L., Walde, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Giant Vesicles. , (2000).</li><li>Riquelme, G., Lopez, E., Garcia-Segura, L. M., Ferragut, J. A., Gonzalez-Ros, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Giant+liposomes:+a+model+system+in+which+to+obtain+patch-clamp+recordings+of+ionic+channels.">Giant liposomes: a model system in which to obtain patch-clamp recordings of ionic channels.</a> Biochemistry. 29 (51), 11215-11222 (1990).</li><li>Walde, P., Cosentino, K., Engel, H., Stano, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Giant+vesicles:+preparations+and+applications.">Giant vesicles: preparations and applications.</a> Chembiochem. 11 (7), 848-865 (2010).</li><li>Aimon, S., Manzi, J., Schmidt, D., Poveda Larrosa, J. A., Bassereau, P., Toombes, G. E. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+reconstitution+of+a+voltage-gated+potassium+channel+in+giant+unilamellar+vesicles.">Functional reconstitution of a voltage-gated potassium channel in giant unilamellar vesicles.</a> PLoS. One. 6 (10), e25529 (2011).</li><li>Girard, P., Pecreaux, J., Lenoir, G., Falson, P., Rigaud, J. L., Bassereau, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+method+for+the+reconstitution+of+membrane+proteins+into+giant+unilamellar+vesicles.">A new method for the reconstitution of membrane proteins into giant unilamellar vesicles.</a> Biophys. J. 87 (1), 419-429 (2004).</li><li>Manley, S., Gordon, V. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Making+giant+unilamellar+vesicles+via+hydration+of+a+lipid+film.">Making giant unilamellar vesicles via hydration of a lipid film.</a> Curr. Protoc. Cell. Biol. 24, 1-13 (2008).</li><li>Rodriguez, N., Pincet, F., Cribier, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Giant+vesicles+formed+by+gentle+hydration+and+electroformation:+a+comparison+by+fluorescence+microscopy.">Giant vesicles formed by gentle hydration and electroformation: a comparison by fluorescence microscopy.</a> Colloids. Surf. B. Biointerfaces. 42 (2), 125-130 (2005).</li><li>Angelova, M. I., Soleau, S., Meleard, P., Faucon, J. F., Bothorel, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+giant+vesicles+by+external+AC+electric+fields.+Kinetics+and+applications.">Preparation of giant vesicles by external AC electric fields. Kinetics and applications.</a> Progressin Colloid &amp; Polymer Science. 89, 127-131 (1992).</li><li>Politano, T. J., Froude, V. E., Jing, B., Zhu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AC-electric+field+dependent+electroformation+of+giant+lipid+vesicles.">AC-electric field dependent electroformation of giant lipid vesicles.</a> Colloids. Surf. B. Biointerfaces. 79 (1), 75-82 (2010).</li><li>Pott, T., Bouvrais, H., M&#233;l&#233;ard, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Giant+unilamellar+vesicle+formation+under+physiologically+relevant+conditions.">Giant unilamellar vesicle formation under physiologically relevant conditions.</a> Chem. Phys. Lip. 154 (2), 115-119 (2008).</li><li>Sens, P., Isambert, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Undulation+Instability+of+Lipid+Membranes+under+an+Electric+Field.">Undulation Instability of Lipid Membranes under an Electric Field.</a> Phys. Rev. Lett. 88 (12), (2002).</li><li>Green, N. G., Ramos, A., Gonz&#225;lez, A., Morgan, H., Castellanos, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluid+flow+induced+by+nonuniform+ac+electric+fields+in+electrolytes+on+microelectrodes.+I.+Experimental+measurements.">Fluid flow induced by nonuniform ac electric fields in electrolytes on microelectrodes. I. Experimental measurements.</a> Phys. Rev. E. 61 (4), 4011-4018 (2000).</li><li>Baykal-Caglar, E., Hassan-Zadeh, E., Saremi, B., Huang, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+giant+unilamellar+vesicles+from+damp+lipid+film+for+better+lipid+compositional+uniformity.">Preparation of giant unilamellar vesicles from damp lipid film for better lipid compositional uniformity.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1818 (11), 2598-2604 (2012).</li><li>Bakalyar, S. R., Bradley, M. P. T., Honganen, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+dissolved+gases+in+high+-performance+liquid+chromatography.">The role of dissolved gases in high -performance liquid chromatography.</a> J. Chromatogr. A. 158, 277-293 (1978).</li><li>Brown, J. N., Hewins, M., Van Der Linden, J. H. M., Lynch, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solvent+degassing+and+other+factors+affecting+liquid+chromatographic+detector+stability.">Solvent degassing and other factors affecting liquid chromatographic detector stability.</a> J. Chromatogr. A. 204, 115-122 (1981).</li><li>Dolan, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mobile+Phase+Degassing-Why,+When,+and+How.">Mobile Phase Degassing-Why, When, and How.</a> LC-GC. 17 (10), 909-912 (1999).</li><li>Cheng, H., Jiang, X., Han, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alterations+in+lipid+homeostasis+of+mouse+dorsal+root+ganglia+induced+by+apolipoprotein+E+deficiency:+a+shotgun+lipidomics+study.">Alterations in lipid homeostasis of mouse dorsal root ganglia induced by apolipoprotein E deficiency: a shotgun lipidomics study.</a> J. Neurochem. 101 (1), 57-76 (2007).</li><li>Greenspan, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Humidity+fixed+points+of+binary+saturated+aqueous+solutions.">Humidity fixed points of binary saturated aqueous solutions.</a> J. Res. Natl. Bur. Stand. 81 (1), 89-96 (1977).</li><li>Rockland, L. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Saturated+Salt+Solutions+for+Static+Control+of+Relative+Humidity+between+5+&#176;+and+40+&#176;C.">Saturated Salt Solutions for Static Control of Relative Humidity between 5 &#176; and 40 &#176;C.</a> Anal. Chem. 32 (10), 1375-1376 (1960).</li><li>Washburn, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology (1st Electronic Edition). , 216-249 (2003).</li><li>Estes, D. J., Mayer, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Giant+liposomes+in+physiological+buffer+using+electroformation+in+a+flow+chamber.">Giant liposomes in physiological buffer using electroformation in a flow chamber.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1712 (2), 152-160 (2005).</li><li>Ayuyan, A. G., Cohen, F. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipid+Peroxides+Promote+Large+Rafts:+Effects+of+Excitation+of+Probes+in+Fluorescence+Microscopy+and+Electrochemical+Reactions+during+Vesicle+Formation.">Lipid Peroxides Promote Large Rafts: Effects of Excitation of Probes in Fluorescence Microscopy and Electrochemical Reactions during Vesicle Formation.</a> Biophys. J. 91 (6), 2172-2183 (2006).</li><li>Morales-Penningston, N. F., Wu, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GUV+preparation+and+imaging:+minimizing+artifacts.">GUV preparation and imaging: minimizing artifacts.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1798 (7), 1324-1332 (2010).</li><li>Grit, M., de Smidt, J. H., Struijke, A., Crommelin, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hydrolysis+of+phosphatidylcholine+in+aqueous+liposome+dispersions.">Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine in aqueous liposome dispersions.</a> Int. J. Pharm. 50 (1), 1-6 (1989).</li><li>Zhou, Y., Berry, C. K., Storer, P. A., Raphael, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Peroxidation+of+polyunsaturated+phosphatidyl-choline+lipids+during+electroformation.">Peroxidation of polyunsaturated phosphatidyl-choline lipids during electroformation.</a> Biomaterials. 28 (6), 1298-1306 (2007).</li><li>Farkas, E. R., Webb, W. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiphoton+polarization+imaging+of+steady-state+molecular+order+in+ternary+lipid+vesicles+for+the+purpose+of+lipid+phase+assignment.">Multiphoton polarization imaging of steady-state molecular order in ternary lipid vesicles for the purpose of lipid phase assignment.</a> J. Phys. Chem. B. 114 (47), 15512-15522 (2010).</li><li>Hauser, H. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+ultrasonic+irradiation+on+the+chemical+structure+of+egg+lecithin.">The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the chemical structure of egg lecithin.</a> Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 45 (4), 1049-1055 (1971).</li><li>Hauser, H., Cevc, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phospholipid+vesicles.">Phospholipid vesicles.</a> Phospholipids Handbook. , (1993).</li><li>Veatch, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electro-formation+and+fluorescence+microscopy+of+giant+vesicles+with+coexisting+liquid+phases.">Electro-formation and fluorescence microscopy of giant vesicles with coexisting liquid phases.</a> Meth. Mol. Biol. 398, 59-72 (2007).</li><li>Kim, R. S., LaBella, F. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+analytical+methods+for+monitoring+autoxidation+profiles+of+authentic+lipids.">Comparison of analytical methods for monitoring autoxidation profiles of authentic lipids.</a> J. Lipid. Res. 28 (9), 1110-1117 (1987).</li><li>Veatch, S. L., Leung, S. S. W., Hancock, R. E. W., Thewalt, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescent+probes+alter+miscibility+phase+boundaries+in+ternary+vesicles.">Fluorescent probes alter miscibility phase boundaries in ternary vesicles.</a> J. Phys. Chem. B. 111 (3), 502-504 (2007).</li><li>Juhasz, J., Davis, J. H., Sharom, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescent+probe+partitioning+in+GUVs+of+binary+phospholipid+mixtures:+implications+for+interpreting+phase+behavior.">Fluorescent probe partitioning in GUVs of binary phospholipid mixtures: implications for interpreting phase behavior.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1818 (1), 19-26 (2012).</li><li>Herold, C., Chwastek, G., Schwille, P., Petrov, E. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+electroformation+of+supergiant+unilamellar+vesicles+containing+cationic+lipids+on+ITO-coated+electrodes.">Efficient electroformation of supergiant unilamellar vesicles containing cationic lipids on ITO-coated electrodes.</a> Langmuir. 28 (13), 5518-5521 (2012).</li></ol>

Electroformation of giant liposomes has developed into a flexible technique compatible with diverse lipids, preparations, and buffers. Careful control of the lipid deposition process is most critical to success. We have presented simple tools to make controlled deposition of lipids from small liposome preparations a straightforward process. The relative humidity is critical to proper dehydration of the initial liposomes, and the optimum value will vary with the initial concentration of solutes in the liposome suspension....

Giant liposomes (often called giant unilamellar vesicles, or GUVs) have primarily been used to study the physics and physical chemistry of lipid bilayers, including studies of bilayer deformation, lateral phase coexistence ("rafts"), membrane fusion, etc1-4. They have a grossly cell-like structure: spherical shell of membrane surrounding an aqueous interior which can easily be made different than the surrounding aqueous buffer. They are, by definition, &asymp;1-100 &mu;m in diameter, so they can be imaged using a variety of light microscopy approaches. They can be made taut using osmotic gradients or mechanically applied tension, so that while generally soft, their properties can be manipulated for easy handling. In particular, controlling the "stiffness" of the liposome makes it straightforward to form "liposome-attached" or excised patches for electrophysiology. In the past, ion channel reconstitution was largely performed in planar lipid bilayers. Now, the ability to form patches from giant liposomes and use the considerable quiver of tools developed for conventional electrophysiology (fluorescence microscopy, micropipette aspiration, rapid perfusion and temperature control, etc.) makes giant liposomes increasingly attractive for reconstitution studies5,6.
Giant liposomes have been made by many strategies. In fact, giant liposomes form spontaneously by a swelling process when a dried lipid film is rehydrated4,7,8. The desire to more rapidly prepare larger, more uniform liposomes led researchers to other approaches, chief among them electroformation1,9. Electroformation also relies on hydration of a dried lipid film, but speeds the process through the application of an oscillating electric field across the lipid film. The field is applied through two electrodes, either platinum wires or Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) coated glass slides, separated by water or buffer and onto which the lipids are deposited. By speeding the swelling of liposomes, one achieves a higher yield of larger liposomes. Thus, electroformation has become the default method to produce giant liposomes4.
The mechanism of electroformation is not fully understood, and most of the protocols are developed empirically (e.g. 10,11). Nonetheless, we can learn a little about what to expect by considering the theory and some empirical results. It is widely believed that electroformation occurs by driving electro-osmotic flow of buffer between individual lipid bilayers stacked in the deposited lipid film10,11. Electrostatic coupling to thermal fluctuations of the lipid bilayers is probably also involved12. These hypotheses qualitatively predict upper limits for the electric field frequency and strength that can be used10,12. In particular, it is predicted that high conductivity solutions (i.e. physiological salt solutions) reduce the electrohydrodynamic forces that may initiate the liposome electroformation12. Electroosmotic flow rates generally decrease with increasing salt concentration and are frequently peaked at some electric field oscillation frequency (e.g. albeit in a different geometry, Green et al.13). Thus, higher field strengths and higher frequencies are reasonable for high conductivity solutions, within limits10.
However, membrane proteins are likely to be incompatible with the usual method of depositing lipids onto electrodes for the electroswelling procedure, namely in organic solvents which are then evaporated off to leave a thin lipid film. There are two principal paths around this difficulty: to incorporate proteins after giant liposome formation, or to adapt how the lipids are deposited. Our approach builds on others5,11 to deposit the lipids and reconstituted membrane protein together from a suspension of small or large "proteoliposomes". We describe the lengthy and more challenging process of producing proteoliposomes from purified protein and lipids elsewhere (Collins and Gordon, in review). Here we describe the protocol in the absence of any protein, but it is the same when protein is incorporated; we include results showing that proteoliposomes containing the ion channel TRPV1 can be transformed into GUVs and used for patch-clamp electrophysiology. In any electroformation approach, visual inspection of the lipid sample during the lipid deposition process is critical to success.
Our approach may be relevant beyond the specialized application to ion channel reconstitution. In the time since we first developed this protocol and now, it has also been shown how the way in which lipids are deposited on electrodes for electroformation affects the compositional heterogeneity of the resulting GUVs. Baykal-Caglar et al.14 showed that GUVs formed from carefully dehydrated liposomes had a 2.5 times smaller variation in the miscibility transition temperature of GUVs formed from mixtures of various phospholipids and cholesterol. Their work indicates that lipids, and especially cholesterol, may precipitate from the lipid mixture when deposited from organic solvents, resulting in large spatial variation in composition of the deposited lipid film. This is especially important for studies of lipid membrane phase behavior, but may also be critical to quantitative experiments on ion channel function. Baykal-Caglar et al.'s protocol is similar but not identical to our own, and readers are encouraged to study it as well.
This protocol (see overview, Figure 1) is one of many that could be used. In principle electroformation success depends on the lipid mixture, hydration, temperature, other solutes (especially ions), and of course the voltage and frequency used in formation. As electroformation becomes better understood, we expect to refine our protocol more.
Finally, there is often a steep learning curve in electroforming giant liposomes. We suggest mastering the conventional protocol (Sections 1 and 4, and, if necessary, Section 5) before learning to deposit lipids from liposomal suspensions (Sections 2-5).

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of the reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue number</td>
			<td>Comments (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digital Multimeter</td>
			<td>Agilent Technologies, <a href="http://www.agilent.com" target="_blank">www.agilent.com</a></td>
			<td>U1232A or similar</td>
			<td>Any multimeter will do, but avoid old style analog ohmmeters which apply much more current to the resistance under test.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Fluke</td>
			<td>117 or 177</td>
			<td>Any multimeter will do, but avoid old style analog ohmmeters which apply much more current to the resistance under test.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Function Generator</td>
			<td>Agilent Technologies, <a href="http://www.agilent.com" target="_blank">www.agilent.com</a></td>
			<td>33210A or similar</td>
			<td>Most function generators work for simple protocols. This programmable model is useful for advanced electroformation protocols. Make sure the generator can drive 10 V peak-to-peak into a 50 &Omega; load</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ITO coated glass slides</td>
			<td>Delta Technologies, Loveland, CO <a href="http://www.delta-technologies.com" target="_blank">www.delta-technologies.com</a></td>
			<td>CB-90IN-S107 or similar</td>
			<td>Break these in half to make two slides, 25 mm x 37 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Temperature controller</td>
			<td>Omega Engineering Stamford, CT <a href="http://www.omega.com" target="_blank">www.omega.com</a></td>
			<td>CNi3233 or similar</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hygrometer</td>
			<td>Extech, Nashua, NH, <a href="http://www.extech.com" target="_blank">www.extech.com</a></td>
			<td>445815</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicone rubber sheet</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr Elmhurst, IL <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com" target="_blank">www.mcmaster.com</a></td>
			<td><a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#87315K64" target="_blank">87315K64</a></td>
			<td>Use USP Grade VI silicone for its high purity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EMI gasket</td>
			<td>Laird Technologies <a href="http://www.lairdtech.com" target="_blank">www.lairdtech.com</a></td>
			<td>4202-PA-51H-01800 or similar</td>
			<td>Distributed by Mouser <a href="http://www.mouser.com" target="_blank">www.mouser.com</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TxR-DHPE</td>
			<td>Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA <a href="http://www.lifetechnologies.com" target="_blank">www.lifetechnologies.com</a></td>
			<td>T1395MP</td>
			<td>Other fluorescently labeled lipids are available, but TxR-DHPE is one of the brightest and most photostable.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>POPC</td>
			<td>Avanti Polar Lipids, Alabaster, AL <a href="http://www.avantilipids.com" target="_blank">www.avantilipids.com</a></td>
			<td>850457P or 850457C</td>
			<td>Lipids can be ordered as powders (P) or in chloroform (C)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>POPS</td>
			<td>Avanti Polar Lipids</td>
			<td>840034P/C</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cholesterol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C8667</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

giant liposome preparation for imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology

The reconstitution of ion channels into chemically defined lipid membranes for electrophysiological recording has been a powerful technique to identify and explore the function of these important proteins. However, classical preparations, such as planar bilayers, limit the manipulations and experiments that can be performed on the reconstituted channel and its membrane environment. The more cell-like structure of giant liposomes permits traditional patch-clamp experiments without sacrificing control of the lipid environment.
Electroformation is an efficient mean to produce giant liposomes &gt;10 &mu;m in diameter which relies on the application of alternating voltage to a thin, ordered lipid film deposited on an electrode surface. However, since the classical protocol calls for the lipids to be deposited from organic solvents, it is not compatible with less robust membrane proteins like ion channels and must be modified. Recently, protocols have been developed to electroform giant liposomes from partially dehydrated small liposomes, which we have adapted to protein-containing liposomes in our laboratory.
We present here the background, equipment, techniques, and pitfalls of electroformation of giant liposomes from small liposome dispersions. We begin with the classic protocol, which should be mastered first before attempting the more challenging protocols that follow. We demonstrate the process of controlled partial dehydration of small liposomes using vapor equilibrium with saturated salt solutions. Finally, we demonstrate the process of electroformation itself. We will describe simple, inexpensive equipment that can be made in-house to produce high-quality liposomes, and describe visual inspection of the preparation at each stage to ensure the best results.

In our examples, we prepare liposomes from a mixture of approximately 55 mol% POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine), 15 mol% POPS (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-phosphoserine, 30 mol% cholesterol, and 0.1 mol% Texas Red-labeled 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-phosphoethanolamine (TxR-DPPE). This composition was chosen as approximately representative of dorsal root ganglion lipids18. We note that 15 mol% charged lipid (here POPS) is near the limit of what can be used in electrofo...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Giant Liposome Preparation for Imaging and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology at JoVE.com

Giant Liposome Preparation for Imaging and Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology

Reconstituting functional membrane proteins into giant liposomes of defined composition is a powerful approach when combined with patch-clamp electrophysiology. However, conventional giant liposome production may be incompatible with protein stability. We describe protocols for producing giant liposomes from pure lipids or small liposomes containing ion channels.

The reconstitution of ion channels into chemically defined lipid membranes for electrophysiological recording has been a powerful technique to identify ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Methods for Patch Clamp Capacitance Recordings from the Calyx

We demonstrate the basic techniques for presynaptic patch clamp recording at the calyx of Held, a mammalian central nervous system nerve terminal. ...

Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in  Xenopus Oocytes

Since its development by Sakmann and Neher 1, 2, the patch clamp has become established as an extremely useful technique for electrophysiological ...

Pressure-polishing Pipettes for Improved Patch-clamp Recording

Pressure-polishing is a method for shaping glass pipettes for patch-clamp recording.  We first developed this method for fabricating pipettes suitable for ...

Preparation of Artificial Bilayers for Electrophysiology Experiments

Planar lipid bilayers, also called artificial lipid bilayers, allow you to study ion-conducting channels in a well-defined environment. These bilayers can ...

Spinal Cord Electrophysiology

The neonatal mouse spinal cord is a model for studying the development of neural circuitries and locomotor movement. We demonstrate the spinal cord ...

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The protocol presented here is designed to study the activation of the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. The protocol may ...

Exploring Arterial Smooth Muscle Kv7 Potassium Channel Function using Patch Clamp Electrophysiology and Pressure Myography

Contraction  or relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the walls of resistance arteries  determines the artery diameter and thereby controls flow of ...

Optimized Protocol for Retinal Wholemount Preparation for Imaging and Immunohistochemistry

Working with delicate tissue can be a complicating factor when performing immunohistochemical assessment. Here, we present a method that utilizes a ...

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Ion channel proteins are universal devices for fast communication across biological membranes. The temporal signature of the ionic flux they generate ...

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies

Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) are a popular biomimetic system for studying membrane associated phenomena. However, commonly used protocols to grow ...