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Related Concept Videos

Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

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...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

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...
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.
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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 organs,...
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...

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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Voltage-gated proton channels exist in the plasma membrane of human oocytes.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2019
Same author

Detailed comparison of expressed and native voltage-gated proton channel currents.

The Journal of physiology·2008
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Regulation and termination of NADPH oxidase activity.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2005
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Interactions between NADPH oxidase-related proton and electron currents in human eosinophils.

The Journal of physiology·2001
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Activation of NADPH oxidase-related proton and electron currents in human eosinophils by arachidonic acid.

The Journal of physiology·2001
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The gp91phox component of NADPH oxidase is not the voltage-gated proton channel in phagocytes, but it helps.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2001

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
11:42

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies

Published on: January 22, 2015

Voltage-gated proton channels.

T E DeCoursey1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, 1750 W. Harrison, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. tdecours@rush.edu

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|May 9, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Voltage-gated proton channels, discovered in 2006, are selective for protons and play key roles in cellular acid extrusion and charge compensation. Further research promises rapid advancements.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Physiology

Background:

  • Voltage-gated proton channels were hypothesized in 1972 and demonstrated in 1982.
  • Their existence faced controversy until gene discovery in 2006.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history and properties of voltage-gated proton channels.
  • To discuss their conduction mechanism, regulation, and cellular functions.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of research findings.
  • Analysis of biophysical properties and proposed conduction mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Channels exhibit perfect proton selectivity, reduced deuteron conductance, and temperature-dependent conductivity.
  • Conduction likely involves hydrogen-bonded-chain transfer with a titratable residue filter.

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Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
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Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Published on: November 11, 2022

Functional Site-Directed Fluorometry in Native Cells to Study Skeletal Muscle Excitability
12:26

Functional Site-Directed Fluorometry in Native Cells to Study Skeletal Muscle Excitability

Published on: June 2, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
11:42

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies

Published on: January 22, 2015

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
08:11

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Published on: November 11, 2022

Functional Site-Directed Fluorometry in Native Cells to Study Skeletal Muscle Excitability
12:26

Functional Site-Directed Fluorometry in Native Cells to Study Skeletal Muscle Excitability

Published on: June 2, 2023

  • Channel gating is pH-regulated, favoring outward proton currents.

    • Conclusions:

    • Voltage-gated proton channels are crucial for acid extrusion and charge compensation.
    • Genetic approaches are expected to accelerate future research in this field.