Monitoring single-cell pharmacokinetics by capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced native fluorescence

The quantification of insulin released from single cells of the insulin-secreting cell line beta TC3 permeabilized by digitonin is demonstrated. A simple method for monitoring the on-column release process by using capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced native fluorescence detection is described. Quantitative measurements of both the amount of insulin released and the amount remaining in the cell can be achieved simultaneously. This protocol provides an alternative approach to the study of cell secretion in the fields of neuroscience and endocrinology.