Good practices in single-cell amperometry.

Single-cell amperometry is a powerful tool for the study of the mechanisms underlying secretion from cells that release electrochemically active substances like catecholamines, histamine, or serotonin. Amperometry has changed our view of the secretory process and the quantal release phenomenon. Today, it is a relatively easy technique to set up and affordable for most laboratories. Amperometry can help solve many interesting problems in cell physiology or pharmacology. However, there are a number of issues about the experimental design, data analysis, and result interpretation that need to be considered. Here, we compile some recommendations and advice on how to conduct experiments with amperometry, covering tissue culture, electrode types and their construction, calibration, equipment, data acquisition, and strategies for electrical noise reduction. We concentrate on cultured chromaffin cells, although most of the information is equally applicable to other cell types.