Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Double-barreled and Concentric Microelectrodes for Measurement of Extracellular Ion Signals in Brain Tissue
Published on: September 5, 2015
Toxins interacting with ether-à-go-go-related gene voltage-dependent potassium channels
Enzo Wanke1, Rita Restano-Cassulini
1Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy. enzo.wanke@unimib.it
Abstract:
The critical role that ether-à-go-go-related gene (erg) K(+) channels play in mating in Caenorhabditis elegans, neuronal seizures in Drosophila and cardiac action potential repolarization in humans has been well documented. Three erg genes (erg1, erg2 and erg3) have been identified and characterized. A structurally diverse number of compounds block these channels, but do not display specificity among the different channel isoforms. In this review we describe the blocking properties of several peptides, purified from scorpion, sea anemone and spider venoms, which are selective for certain members of the ERG family of channels. These peptides do not behave as classical pore blockers and appear to modify the gating properties of the channel. Genomic studies predict the existence of many other novel peptides with the potential of being more selective for ERG channels than those discussed here.
Related Concept Videos
Resting Membrane Potential
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
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...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
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...
The Resting Membrane Potential
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

