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Related Concept Videos

Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

10.9K
Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
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Ion Channels01:19

Ion Channels

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The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow...
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Non-gated Ion Channels01:24

Non-gated Ion Channels

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Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
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Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

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Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
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Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

14.4K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that...
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G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory...
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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
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[Mitochondrial ion channels].

Grazyna Debska1, Anna Kicińska, Jolanta Skalska

  • 1Pracownia Wewnatrzkomórkowych Kanałów Jonowych Instytutu Biologii Doświadczalnej im. M. Nenckiego PAN w Warszawie.

Postepy Higieny I Medycyny Doswiadczalnej
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial ion channels, including potassium and chloride channels, play key roles in cell volume regulation. These channels are also therapeutic targets for conditions like diabetes.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Context:

  • Inner mitochondrial membranes host ion channels selective for potassium and chloride ions.
  • These channels are implicated in cellular processes, including organelle volume regulation.
  • Mitochondrial potassium channels are recognized targets for specific drugs.

Purpose:

  • To review the properties of mitochondrial ion channels.
  • To discuss current hypotheses regarding their functional roles.
  • To highlight their significance in cellular physiology and pharmacology.

Summary:

  • This review focuses on potassium and chloride ion channels located in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
  • It explores their known characteristics and proposed functions in cellular events.
  • The review also touches upon the pharmacological relevance of mitochondrial potassium channels.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of mitochondrial ion channel research.
  • Enhances understanding of organelle volume control mechanisms.
  • Informs drug development targeting mitochondrial ion channels for therapeutic benefit.