Dissociation of spiral ganglion neurons in postnatal mice and electrophysiological characteristics of its A-type potassium channels

Objective To mechanically dissociate and enzymolize spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) in postnatal mice and to observe the electrophysiological characteristics of those A-type potassium channels.Methods The mechanical dissociation and enzymolysis of spiral ganglion neurons were carried out with 1-6 d postnatal mice.Immunocytochemical stain identification was performed with fluorescent microscope.Record and analysis of A-type potassium channels' currents were carried out with whole-cell patch clamp techniques.Results Spiral ganglion neurons of postnatal mice had good cell forms in the condition of mechanical dissociation and enzymolysis.The A-type potassium channels were activated in the membrane voltage of-60mv and inactivated in the membrane voltage of +40mv,and were inhabited by extracellular 4-aminopyridine.Conclusion We successfully established the methods of mechanical dissociation and enzymolysis of SGN,the A-type potassium channels of SGN had the charactics of quick activation and quick inactivation.