Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 16, 2013
Chondroitin sulfates act as extracellular gating modifiers on voltage-dependent ion channels
Davide Vigetti1, Olga Andrini, Moira Clerici
11Università dell'Insubria, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sperimentali e Cliniche, Varese, Italy.
Background/Aims:
Chondroitin sulfates are glycosaminoglycans bound to core proteins of proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets surrounding many types of neurones. Chondroitin 4- and chondroitin 6- sulfate can bind calcium ions with different affinities, depending on their sulfation position. Extracellular calcium plays a key role in determining the transmembrane potential sensed by voltage-operated ion channels (VOCs) by means of the "surface screening effect" theory (Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory). We wanted to test whether chondroitin sulfates at physiological concentration can effectively modulate the gating properties of VOCs.
Methods:
We recorded in patch-clamp experiments the shift of h and voltage-dependent calcium currents activation curves of Xenopus laevis photoreceptors perfused with chondroitin sulfate solutions in physiological extracellular calcium concentration.
Results:
We found that chondroitin 4- and 6- sulfate, with different capabilities, can shift the activation curve of h and voltage-dependent calcium channels, compatibly with the surface screening effect theory.
Conclusion:
We conclude that chondroitin sulfates can alter VOCs gating by modulating the calcium concentration in the extracellular microenvironment. This phenomenon may explain why alterations in the chondroitin sulfation and abundance in the extracellular matrix are found along with altered neuronal function in pathological conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
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...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
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 include the...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
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 include the...
Non-gated Ion Channels
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.

