Evaluating the diffusion coefficient of dopamine at the cell surface during amperometric detection: disk vs ring microelectrodes

Exploiting Microelectrode Geometry for Comprehensive Detection of Individual Exocytosis Events at Single Cells

Carbon fiber microelectrodes are commonly used for real-time monitoring of individual exocytosis events at single cells. Since the nature of an electrochemical signal is fundamentally governed by mass transport to the electrode surface, microelectrode geometry can be exploited to achieve precise and accurate measurements. Researchers traditionally pair amperometric measurements of exocytosis with a ∼10-μm diameter, disk microelectrode in an "artificial synapse" configuration to directly monitor individual release events from single cells. Exocytosis is triggered, and released molecules diffuse to the "post-synaptic" electrode for oxidation. This results in a series of distinct current spikes corresponding to individual exocytosis events. However, it remains unclear how much of the material escapes detection. In this work, the performance of 10- and 34-μm diameter carbon fiber disk microelectrodes was directly compared in monitoring exocytosis at single chromaffin cells. The 34-μm diameter electrode was more sensitive to catecholamines and enkephalins than its traditional, 10-μm diameter counterpart, and it more effectively covered the entire cell. As such, the larger sensor detected more exocytosis events overall, as well as a larger quantal size, suggesting that the traditional tools underestimate the above measurements. Both sensors reliably measured l-DOPA-evoked changes in quantal size, and both exhibited diffusional loss upon adjustment of cell-electrode spacing. Finite element simulations using COMSOL support the improved collection efficiency observed using the larger sensor. Overall, this work demonstrates how electrode geometry can be exploited for improved detection of exocytosis events by addressing diffusional loss─an often-overlooked source of inaccuracy in single-cell measurements.

Location of dopamine in lipid bilayers and its relevance to neuromodulator function

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter that also acts as a neuromodulator, with both functions being essential to brain function. Here, we present the first experimental measurement of DA location in lipid bilayers using x-ray diffuse scattering, solid-state deuterium NMR, and electron paramagnetic resonance. We find that the association of DA with lipid headgroups as seen in electron density profiles leads to an increase of intermembrane repulsion most likely due to electrostatic charging. DA location in the lipid headgroup region also leads to an increase of the cross-sectional area per lipid without affecting the bending rigidity significantly. The order parameters measured by solid-state deuterium NMR decrease in the presence of DA for the acyl chains of PC and PS lipids, consistent with an increase in the area per lipid due to DA. Most importantly, these results support the hypothesis that three-dimensional diffusion of DA to target membranes could be followed by relatively more efficient two-dimensional diffusion to receptors within those membranes.

Design of optoelectrodes for the remote imaging of cells and in situ electrochemical detection of neurosecretory events

Optical fibers have opened avenues for remote imaging, bioanalyses and recently optogenetics. Besides, miniaturized electrochemical sensors have offered new opportunities in sensing directly redox neurotransmitters. The combination of both optical and electrochemical approaches was usually performed on the platform of microscopes or within microsystems. In this work, we developed optoelectrodes which features merge the advantages of both optical fibers and microelectrodes. Optical fiber bundles were modified at one of their extremity by a transparent ITO deposit. The electrochemical responses of these ITO-modified bundles were characterized for the detection of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. The analytical performances of the optoelectrodes were equivalent to the ones reported for carbon microelectrodes. The remote imaging of model neurosecretory PC12 cells by optoelectrodes was performed upon cell-staining with common fluorescent dyes: acridine orange and calcein-AM. An optoelectrode placed by micromanipulation at a few micrometers-distance from the cells offered remote images with single cell resolution. Finally, in situ electrochemical sensing was demonstrated by additions of K⁺-secretagogue solutions near PC12 cells under observation, leading to exocytotic events detected as amperometric spikes at the ITO surface. Such dual sensors should pave the way for in vivo remote imaging, optogenetic stimulation, and simultaneous detection of neurosecretory activities.

Neurotransmitter Readily Escapes Detection at the Opposing Microelectrode Surface in Typical Amperometric Measurements of Exocytosis at Single Cells

For decades, carbon-fiber microelectrodes have been used in amperometric measurements of neurotransmitter release at a wide variety of cell types, providing a tremendous amount of valuable information on the mechanisms involved in dense-core vesicle fusion. The electroactive molecules that are released can be detected at the opposing microelectrode surface, allowing for precise quantification as well as detailed kinetic information on the stages of neurotransmitter release. However, it remains unclear how much of the catecholamine that is released into the artificial synapse escapes detection. This work examines two separate mechanisms by which released neurotransmitter goes undetected in a typical amperometric measurement. First, diffusional loss is assessed by monitoring exocytosis at single bovine chromaffin cells using carbon-fiber microelectrodes fabricated in a recessed (cavity) geometry. This creates a microsampling vial that minimizes diffusional loss of analyte prior to detection. More molecules were detected per exocytotic release event when using a recessed cavity sensor as compared to the conventional configuration. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of the norepinephrine transporter (NET), which serves to remove catecholamine from the extracellular space, increased both the size and the time course of individual amperometric events. Overall, this study characterizes distinct physical and biological mechanisms by which released neurotransmitter escapes detection at the opposing microelectrode surface, while also revealing an important role for the NET in "presynaptic" modulation of neurotransmitter release.

Pore-Opening Dynamics of Single Nanometer Biovesicles at an Electrified Interface

Release from nanobiovesicles via a pore generated by membrane electroporation at an electrified interface can be monitored by vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry (VIEC) and provides rich information about the various vesicular content transfer processes, including content homeostasis, intraphase content transfer, or the transient fusion of vesicles. These processes are primarily influenced by the vesicular pore-opening dynamics at the electrified interface which has not been disclosed at the single nanobiovesicle level yet. In this work, after simultaneously measuring the size and release dynamics of individual vesicles, we employed a moving mesh-finite element simulation algorithm to reconstruct the accurate pore-opening dynamics of individual vesicles with different sizes during VIEC. We investigated the expansion times and maximal pore sizes as two characteristics of different vesicles. The pore expansion times between nanobiovesicles and pure lipid liposomes were compared, and that of the nanobiovesicles is much longer than that for the liposomes, 2.1 ms vs 0.18 ms, respectively, which reflects the membrane proteins limiting the electroporation process. For the vesicles with different sizes, a positive relationship of pore size (R_p,max) with the vesicle size (R_ves) and also their ratio (R_p,max/R_ves) versus the vesicle sizes is observed. The mechanism of the pore size determination is discussed and related to the membrane proteins and the vesicle size. This work accurately describes the dynamic pore-opening process of individual vesicles which discloses the heterogeneity in electroporation of different sized vesicles. This should allow us to examine the more complicated vesicular content transfer process between intravesicular compartments.

Vesicular release dynamics are altered by the interaction between the chemical cargo and vesicle membrane lipids

The release of the cargo from soft vesicles, an essential process for chemical delivery, is mediated by multiple factors. Among them, the regulation by the interaction between the chemical cargo species and the vesicular membrane, widely existing in all vesicles, has not been investigated to date. Yet, these interactions hold the potential to complicate the release process. We used liposomes loaded with different monoamines, dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT), to simulate vesicular release and to monitor the dynamics of chemical release from isolated vesicles during vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry (VIEC). The release of DA from liposomes presents a longer release time compared to 5-HT. Modelling the release time showed that DA filled vesicles had a higher percentage of events where the time for the peak fall was better fit to a double exponential (DblExp) decay function, suggesting multiple kinetic steps in the release. By fitting to a desorption-release model, where the transmitters adsorbed to the vesicle membrane, the dissociation rates of DA and 5-HT from the liposome membrane were estimated. DA has a lower desorption rate constant, which leads to slower DA release than that observed for 5-HT, whereas there is little difference in pore size. The alteration of vesicular release dynamics due to the interaction between the chemical cargo and vesicle membrane lipids provides an important mechanism to regulate vesicular release in chemical and physiological processes. It is highly possible that this introduces a fundamental chemical regulation difference between transmitters during exocytosis.

Next-Generation Diamond Electrodes for Neurochemical Sensing: Challenges and Opportunities

Carbon-based electrodes combined with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) enable neurochemical sensing with high spatiotemporal resolution and sensitivity. While their attractive electrochemical and conductive properties have established a long history of use in the detection of neurotransmitters both in vitro and in vivo, carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) also have limitations in their fabrication, flexibility, and chronic stability. Diamond is a form of carbon with a more rigid bonding structure (sp3-hybridized) which can become conductive when boron-doped. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) is characterized by an extremely wide potential window, low background current, and good biocompatibility. Additionally, methods for processing and patterning diamond allow for high-throughput batch fabrication and customization of electrode arrays with unique architectures. While tradeoffs in sensitivity can undermine the advantages of BDD as a neurochemical sensor, there are numerous untapped opportunities to further improve performance, including anodic pretreatment, or optimization of the FSCV waveform, instrumentation, sp2/sp3 character, doping, surface characteristics, and signal processing. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in diamond electrodes for neurochemical sensing and discuss potential opportunities for future advancements of the technology. We highlight our team's progress with the development of an all-diamond fiber ultramicroelectrode as a novel approach to advance the performance and applications of diamond-based neurochemical sensors.

Thin layer cell behavior of CNT yarn and cavity carbon nanopipette electrodes: Effect on catecholamine detection

Carbon nanotube yarn microelectrodes (CNTYMEs) are an alternative to carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) with interesting electrochemical properties because analyte is momentarily trapped in cavities between the CNTs. Here, we compare fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) detection of catecholamines, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, at CNTYMEs, CFMEs, as well as cavity carbon nanopipette electrodes (CNPEs). At CFMEs, current decreases dramatically at high FSCV repetition frequencies. At CNTYMEs, current is almost independent of FSCV repetition frequency because the analytes are trapped in the crevices between CNTs, and thus the electrode acts like a thin-layer cell. At CFMEs, small cyclization product peaks are observed due to an intramolecular cyclization reaction to form leucocatecholamine, which is electroactive, and these peaks are largest for the secondary amine epinephrine. At CNTYMEs, more of the leucocatecholamine cyclization product is detected for all catecholamines because of the enhanced trapping effects, particularly at higher repetition rates where the reaction occurs more frequently and more product is accumulated. For epinephrine, the secondary peaks have larger currents than the primary oxidation peaks at 100 Hz, and similar trends are observed with faster scan rates and 500 Hz repetition frequencies. Finally, we examined CNPEs, which also momentarily trap neurotransmitters. Similar to CNTYMEs, at CNPEs, catecholamines have robust cyclization peaks, particularly at high repetition rates. Thus, CNTYMEs and CNPEs have thin layer cell behavior that facilitates high temporal resolution measurements, but catecholamines CVs are complicated by cyclization reactions. However, those additional peaks could be useful in discriminating the analytes, particularly epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Organic cation transporter 3 and the dopamine transporter differentially regulate catecholamine uptake in the basolateral amygdala and nucleus accumbens

Regional alterations in kinetics of catecholamine uptake are due in part to variations in clearance mechanisms. The rate of clearance is a critical determinant of the strength of catecholamine signaling. Catecholamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) is of particular interest due to involvement of these regions in cognition and motivation. Previous work has shown that catecholamine clearance in the NAcc is largely mediated by the dopamine transporter (DAT), but clearance in the BLA is less DAT-dependent. A growing body of literature suggests that organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) also contributes to catecholamine clearance in both regions. Consistent with different clearance mechanisms between regions, catecholamine clearance is more rapid in the NAcc than in the BLA, though mechanisms underlying this have not been resolved. We compared the expression of DAT and OCT3 and their contributions to catecholamine clearance in the NAcc and BLA. We found DAT protein levels were ~ 4-fold higher in the NAcc than in the BLA, while OCT3 protein expression was similar between the two regions. Immunofluorescent labeling of the two transporters in brain sections confirmed these findings. Ex vivo voltammetry demonstrated that the magnitude of catecholamine release was greater, and the clearance rate was faster in the NAcc than in the BLA. Additionally, catecholamine clearance in the BLA was more sensitive to the OCT3 inhibitor corticosterone, while clearance in the NAcc was more cocaine sensitive. These distinctions in catecholamine clearance may underlie differential effects of catecholamines on behavioral outputs mediated by these regions.

Comparison of Disk and Nanotip Electrodes for Measurement of Single-Cell Amperometry during Exocytotic Release

We compare single-cell amperometric measurements of exocytosis from pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells between two types of electrodes, carbon fiber disk microelectrodes and nanotip conical-shape carbon fiber microelectrodes. During the exocytotic process, individual exocytotic release events, measured as current spikes at the electrode, offer quantitative and dynamic information about the chemical release from cells. Using two electrodes gives rise to an unequal distance between the fusion pore and the electrode as well as fusion pore size, which leads to different average spike shapes. Nanotip electrodes show a slightly higher and narrower spike than disk electrodes when measuring exocytosis. The estimated pore-electrode distance and fusion pore size for disk electrodes are 239 and 11.5 nm, while for nanotip electrodes, these are 215 and 18.2 nm, respectively. The data show that nanotip electrodes, despite showing slightly different dynamics for release, are quantitative in measuring the number of molecules released and can be used for quantitative comparison between exocytosis and vesicular content in intracellular vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry.

A microfluidic electrochemical flow cell capable of rapid on-chip dilution for fast-scan cyclic voltammetry electrode calibration

Here, we developed a microfluidic electrochemical flow cell for fast-scan cyclic voltammetry which is capable of rapid on-chip dilution for efficient and cost-effective electrode calibration. Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) at carbon-fiber microelectrodes is a robust electroanalytical technique used to measure subsecond changes in neurotransmitter concentration over time. Traditional methods of electrode calibration for FSCV require several milliliters of a standard. Additionally, generating calibration curves can be time-consuming because separate solutions must be prepared for each concentration. Microfluidic electrochemical flow cells have been developed in the past; however, they often require incorporating the electrode in the device, making it difficult to remove for testing in biological tissues. Likewise, current microfluidic electrochemical flow cells are not capable of rapid on-chip dilution to eliminate the requirement of making multiple solutions. We designed a T-channel device, with microchannel dimensions of 100 μm × 50 μm, that delivered a standard to a 2-mm-diameter open electrode sampling well. A waste channel with the same dimensions was designed perpendicular to the well to flush and remove the standard. The dimensions of the T-microchannels and flow rates were chosen to facilitate complete mixing in the delivery channel prior to reaching the electrode. The degree of mixing was computationally modeled using COMSOL and was quantitatively assessed in the device using both colored dyes and electrochemical detection. On-chip electrode calibration for dopamine with FSCV was not significantly different than the traditional calibration method demonstrating its utility for FSCV calibration. Overall, this device improves the efficiency and ease of electrode calibration. Graphical abstract.

A cobalt corrole/carbon nanotube enables simultaneous electrochemical monitoring of oxygen and ascorbic acid in the rat brain

It is of interest to in vivo monitor the co-dynamics of different substances. However, the tracking of multiple species is still challenging. In this work, we demonstrate an in vivo electrochemical method by using multi-potential step amperometry to in vivo detect ascorbic acid (AA) and oxygen (O2) simultaneously. In order to achieve good selectivity and high sensitivity for both AA and O2, we design a cobalt corrole [Co(tpfc)(py)2] (tpfc = 5,10,15-tris(penta-fluorophenyl) corrole, py = pyridine, denoted as Co-TPFC) and carbon nanotube nanocomposite to modify a carbon fiber microelectrode (Co-TPFC/MWNT/CFE). This Co-TPFC/MWNT/CFE exhibits excellent electrocatalytic properties towards the reduction of O2 preceding a 4e process and facilitates the oxidation of AA at low potential in the physiological environment. Based on this, we realize simultaneous detection of AA and O2 using two-potential steps (one cathodic (-0.2 V) and the other anodic (+0.05 V)) with 1 second step time. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments proved the feasibility of this method. This demonstrated strategy is useful for us to understand various physiological and pathological processes associated with O2 and AA co-dynamics, and also provides an idea for detecting multiple substances simultaneously.

Local tissue manipulation via a force- and pressure-controlled AFM micropipette for analysis of cellular processes

Local manipulation of complex tissues at the single-cell level is challenging and requires excellent sealing between the specimen and the micromanipulation device. Here, biological applications for a recently developed loading technique for a force- and pressure-controlled fluidic force microscope micropipette are described. This technique allows for the exact positioning and precise spatiotemporal control of liquid delivery. The feasibility of a local loading technique for tissue applications was investigated using two fluorescent dyes, with which local loading behaviour could be optically visualised. Thus, homogeneous intracellular distribution of CellTracker Red and accumulation of SYTO 9 Green within nuclei was realised in single cells of a tissue preparation. Subsequently, physiological micromanipulation experiments were performed. Salivary gland tissue was pre-incubated with the Ca2+-sensitive dye OGB-1. An intracellular Ca2+ rise was then initiated at the single-cell level by applying dopamine via micropipette. When pre-incubating tissue with the nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive dye DAF-FM, NO release and intercellular NO diffusion was observed after local application of the NO donor SNP. Finally, local micromanipulation of a well-defined area along irregularly shaped cell surfaces of complex biosystems was shown for the first time for the fluidic force microscope micropipette. Thus, this technique is a promising tool for the investigation of the spatiotemporal effects of locally applied substances in complex tissues.

Kinetic Requirements for Spatiotemporal Chemical Imaging with Fluorescent Nanosensors

Fluorescent nanosensors are powerful tools for basic research and bioanalytical applications. Individual nanosensors are able to detect single molecules, while ensembles of nanosensors can be used to measure the bulk concentration of an analyte. Collective imaging of multiple nanosensors could provide both spatial and temporal chemical information from the nano- to the microscale. This type of chemical imaging with nanosensors would be very attractive to study processes such as chemical signaling between cells (e.g., neurons). So far, it is not understood what processes are resolvable (concentration, time, space) and how optimal sensors should be designed. Here, we develop a theoretical framework to simulate the fluorescence image of arrays of nanosensors in response to a concentration gradient. For that purpose, binding and unbinding of the analyte is simulated for each single nanosensor by using a Monte Carlo simulation and varying rate constants (k_on, k_off). Multiple nanosensors are arranged on a surface and exposed to a concentration pattern c_A(x,y,t) of an analyte. We account for the resolution limit of light microscopy (Abbe limit) and the acquisition speed and resolution of optical setups and determine the resulting response images ΔI(x,y,t). Consequently, we introduce terms for the spatial and temporal resolution and simulate phase diagrams for different rate constants that allow us to predict how a sensor should be designed to provide a desired spatial and temporal resolution. Our results show, for example, that imaging of neurotransmitter release requires rate constants of k_on = 10⁶ M^-1 s^-1and k_off = 10² s^-1 in many scenarios, which corresponds to high dissociation constants of K_d > 100 μM. This work predicts if a given fluorescent nanosensor array (rate constants, size, shape, geometry, density) is able to resolve fast concentration changes such as neurotransmitter release from cells. Additionally, we provide rational design principles to engineer nanosensors for chemical imaging.

A multiscale study of the role of dynamin in the regulation of glucose uptake

Cells- and organisms-on-a-chip strategies were used to highlight the role of the molecular motor dynamin in regulating the translocation of specific glucose transporters.

Lithographic Microfabrication of a 16-Electrode Array on a Probe Tip for High Spatial Resolution Electrochemical Localization of Exocytosis

We report the lithographic microfabrication of a movable thin film microelectrode array (MEA) probe consisting of 16 platinum band electrodes placed on top of a supporting borosilicate glass substrate. These 1.2 μm wide electrodes were tightly packed and positioned parallel in two opposite rows within a 20 μm × 25 μm square area and with a distance less than 10 μm from the edge of the glass substrate. We demonstrate the ability to control and place the probe in close proximity to the surface of adherent bovine chromaffin cells and to amperometrically record single exocytosis release events with high spatiotemporal resolution. The two-dimensional position of single exocytotic events occurring in the center gap area separating the two rows of MEA band electrodes and that were codetected by electrodes in both rows was determined by analysis of the fractional detection of catecholamine released between electrodes and exploiting random walk simulations. Hence, two-dimensional electrochemical imaging recording of exocytosis release between the electrodes within this area was achieved. Similarly, by modeling the current spikes codetected by parallel adjacent band electrodes positioned in the same electrode row, a one-dimensional imaging of exocytosis with submicrometer resolution was accomplished within the area. The one- and two-dimensional electrochemical imaging using the MEA probe allowed for high spatial resolution of exocytosis activity and revealed heterogeneous release of catecholamine at the chromaffin cell surface.

Dynamic electrochemical quantitation of dopamine release from a cells-on-paper system

A simple hybrid microfluidic/electrochemical system is used to observe the secretion of neurotransmitters from a cells-on-paper system.

Simultaneous study of subcellular exocytosis with individually addressable multiple microelectrodes

We report the application of individually addressable microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to study the heterogeneity of cell exocytosis at the subcellular level. Multiple subcellular-size electrodes are covered by a single PC12 cell for the investigation of subcellular exocytosis. PC12 cells have been seeded and cultured on top of three kinds of MEAs containing 16, 25, or 36 square microelectrodes (4 μm width in a 4 by 4 MEA, 3 μm width in a 5 by 5 MEA, 2 μm width in a 6 by 6 MEA). After collagen coating, single cells were found to cover several electrodes and these were selected for the study of subcellular exocytosis. Amperometric results show that single cell and subcellular heterogeneity in single cell exocytosis can be electrochemically detected with these MEAs. The results also show that these MEAs are suitable for detecting fast chemical events at single cells, as well as for developing multifunctional electrochemical sensors.

Delayed voltammetric with respect to amperometric electrochemical detection of concentration changes in microchannels

The time response of an electrode incorporated into a fluidic channel to variations in analyte concentration of the outer-sphere redox probe ferrocenemethanol was investigated both for amperometry (AMP) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The experimental data show that the temporal resolution of CV is not as good as that of AMP, as CV cannot properly detect fast concentration transients. The delayed response of CV was previously reported, for neurotransmitters, and mostly attributed to the adsorption of the analyte on the electrode surface. By using an outer-sphere redox couple, we show that mass transport also significantly delays the response of CV. The experimental delay time in CV was understood from mass transfer limitations due to the relaxation of the diffusion layer during repeated potential scanning. Furthermore, a robust protocol for the analysis of fast concentration transients was established, using the impulse and modulation transfer functions of the system. This method was found to be more precise than the mere analysis of undifferentiated traces in the time domain. As a proof of concept, the effect of increased viscosity was investigated, showing that AMP was more sensitive than CV to these variations. Overall, this analysis underlines further the enhanced temporal sensitivity of AMP over CV, at the expense of decreased chemical resolution, potentially having implications for in situ electrochemical detection of biologically relevant molecules.

Spatial resolution of single-cell exocytosis by microwell-based individually addressable thin film ultramicroelectrode arrays

We report the fabrication and characterization of microwell-based individually addressable microelectrode arrays (MEAs) and their application to spatially and temporally resolved detection of neurotransmitter release across a single pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell. The microwell-based MEAs consist of 16 4-μm-width square ultramicroelectrodes, 25 3-μm-width square ultramicroelectrodes, or 36 2-μm-width square ultramicroelectrodes, all inside a 40 × 40 μm square SU-8 microwell. MEAs were fabricated on glass substrates by photolithography, thin film deposition, and reactive ion etching. The ultramicroelectrodes in each MEA are tightly defined in a 30 × 30 μm square area, which is further encased inside the SU-8 microwell. With this method, we demonstrate that these microelectrodes are stable, reproducible, and demonstrate good electrochemical properties using cyclic voltammetry. Effective targeting and culture of a single cell is achieved by combining cell-sized microwell trapping and cell-picking micropipet techniques. The surface of the microelectrodes in the MEA was coated with collagen IV to promote cell adhesion and further single-cell culture, as good adhesion between the cell membrane and the electrode surface is critical for the quality of the measurements. Imaging the spatial distribution of exocytosis at the surface of a single PC12 cell has also been demonstrated with this system. Exocytotic signals have been successfully recorded from eight independent 2-μm-wide ultramicroelectrodes from a single PC12 cell showing that the subcellular heterogeneity in single-cell exocytosis can be precisely analyzed with these microwell-based MEAs.

Actin controls the vesicular fraction of dopamine released during extended kiss and run exocytosis

The effect of latrunculin A, an inhibitor of actin cross-linking, on exocytosis in PC12 cells was investigated with single cell amperometry. This analysis strongly suggests that the actin cytoskeleton might be involved in regulating exocytosis, especially by mediating the constriction of the pore. In an extended kiss-and-run release mode, actin could actually control the fraction of neurotransmitters released by the vesicle. This scaffold appears to contribute, with the lipid membrane and the protein machinery, to the closing dynamics of the pore, in competition with other forces mediating the opening of the exocytotic channel.

Microelectrode arrays with overlapped diffusion layers as electroanalytical detectors: theory and basic applications

This contribution contains a survey of basic literature dealing with arrays of microelectrodes with overlapping diffusion layers as prospective tools in contemporary electrochemistry. Photolithographic thin layer technology allows the fabrication of sensors of micrometric dimensions separated with a very small gap. This fact allows the diffusion layers of single microelectrodes to overlap as members of the array. Various basic types of microelectrode arrays with interacting diffusion layers are described and their analytical abilities are accented. Theoretical approaches to diffusion layer overlapping and the consequences of close constitution effects such as collection efficiency and redox cycling are discussed. Examples of basis applications in electroanalytical chemistry such as amperometric detectors in HPLC and substitutional stripping voltammetry are also given.