Ionic channels in cultured Drosophila neurons

Cultured “giant” Drosophila neurons derived from cytokinesis-arrested embryonic neuroblasts express various membrane channels and excitability patterns. Both current- and voltage-clamp recordings could be performed on the same neuron owing to the large cell size, thus making it possible to elucidate the functional role of individual types of channels. This culture system has been used to analyze the mutational perturbations in ion channels and the resultant alterations in membrane excitability.