In order to clearly visualize the plant vacuoles, scientists have relied on fluorescent microscopy in their experiments. Using these techniques, scientists have been able to collect significant qualitative data in order to make conclusions about mammalian TPC functions. Specifically, scientists were able to conclude that human TPC are predominantly voltage-dependent sodium channels, and that PI(3,5)P2, an endolysosome-specific phosphoinositide (PIP), is a direct activator of TPC channels while NAADP is actually not an activator as it was once previously assumed to be.
Scientists have used fluorescent microscopy to study plant vacuoles and mammalian TPC functions. They discovered that human TPC are primarily voltage-dependent sodium channels, and PI(3,5)P2 activates these channels directly while NAADP does not.