Selective actions of a detergent on ligand-gated ion channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Cytoclean, a commercially available detergent, has selective actions on ligand-gated ion channels. Cytoclean (0.0005-0.01% v/v) potentiated 50 μM glycine responses in oocytes expressing alpha-2 glycine receptors by 23 ± 7% to 342 ± 43%. Cytoclean is composed of five components dissolved in water, but only one reagent, Bio-Soft D-62, modulated responses of oocytes expressing alpha-2 glycine receptors. Bio-Soft D-62 (0.00005-0.001% w/v), potentiated 50 μM glycine responses by 13 ± 1% to 474 ± 50%. Bio-Soft D- 62 is composed of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (>95% C12 chain). The effects of Cytoclean or Bio-Soft D-62 were examined on alpha-1 beta-2 and alpha-1 beta-2 gamma-2L γ-aminobutyric acid(A), γ-aminobutyric acid(p1), DL-α- amino-3-hydroxy-51-methyl-4-isoxalonepropionic acid, kainate and 5- hydroxytryptamine₃ receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Enhancement of γ-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor function ranged from ~21% to 458% with Cytoclean (0.0001-0.01%), respectively. Bio-Soft D-62 (0.001%) inhibited GABA(p1) receptor function by ~72%. Cytoclean had no effect on 5- hydroxytryptamine₃ or GluR6 function, but Cytoclean (0.005% and 0.01%) inhibited GluR3-mediated currents by ~21% and ~41%, respectively. These results suggest that trace amounts of Cytoclean, such as amounts adhering to glassware, may modulate ion channel function and potentially confound experimental results.