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.
To understand the function of mammalian TPC (TPC stands for Transient Receptor Potential), scientists have used fluorescent microscopy to visualize plant vacuoles. They found that human TPC are primarily voltage-dependent sodium channels and PI(3,5)P2 is a direct activator of these channels while NAADP is not an activator as previously thought.