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Related Concept Videos

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

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...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

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...
Non-gated Ion Channels01:24

Non-gated Ion Channels

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.
Non-gated Ion Channels01:24

Non-gated Ion Channels

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.
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...

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Kinetic models for stochastically modified ionic channels.

Aleksander Wozinski1, Jan Iwaniszewski

  • 1Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland. olov@fizyka.umk.pl

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters
|April 4, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stochastic modifications in ionic channel pores significantly alter ion flow. These dynamic changes in channel structure can dramatically increase or decrease ionic current based on system time-scales.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Membrane Biology
  • Ion Transport

Background:

  • Ionic channels are large protein structures forming pores in biomembranes.
  • Biomembrane material exhibits thermal fluctuations, causing constant modification of pore structures.
  • Ion binding can further alter pore conformation via amino acid repolarization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of stochastic pore structure modifications on ionic channel conductivity.
  • To analyze how dynamic changes in channel properties affect ionic current.

Main Methods:

  • A simple kinetic model was employed to describe channel behavior.
  • The study focused on the effects of stochastic variations in pore properties.

Main Results:

  • Stochastic variations in ionic channel properties significantly influence ionic current.
  • These modifications can lead to substantial increases or decreases in ionic current.
  • The interplay between channel property variations and system time-scales is crucial.

Conclusions:

  • Dynamic and stochastic changes in ionic channel structure are critical determinants of ionic current.
  • Understanding these fluctuations is essential for predicting ion transport across biomembranes.