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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Recording Gap Junction Current from Xenopus Oocytes
Published on: January 21, 2022
[Establishment of heterologous expression model of hSERT in Xenopus laevis oocytes]
Yi-Ying Wang1, Zhu Jin, Ci-Zhen Li
1Department of Physiology, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China.
Aim:
To determine the feasibility of establishing the heterologous expression model of human- serotonin transporter(hSERT or 5-HTT).
Methods:
cRNA of SERT was transcribed from cDNA, which was cloned in the pOTV vector. Each oocyte of mature xenopus laevis was injected with transcribed cRNA in vivo and incubated at room temperature for 4-9 days. Recording the current induced by 5-HT with voltage clamp technique tested the function of the expressed 5-HT transporter.
Results:
The transporter current could be observed in Ringer's solution containing 5-HT, and the 5-HT induced current were concentration-dependent. Norepinephrine and dopamine could not induce the transporter current while the 5-HT induced current could be specifically inhibited by 5-HTT blocker, desipramine.
Conclusion:
The results demonstrate that the heterologous expression product in xenopus laevis oocytes is human 5-HT transporter.
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