Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Ion Channels01:19

Ion Channels

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 specific...
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...
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview01:21

Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview

An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell.  This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to the...
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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Irregular curvature at focal adhesions modulates Piezo1 activity and low-frequency ultrasound-induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

Physics of life reviews·2026
Same author

Opening threshold and kinetics of the MscL mechanosensitive channel are regulated by its periplasmic loop.

Research square·2026
Same author

A 3D-Printed Pulsatile Shear Stress Platform for Studying Endothelial Cell Mechanobiology.

Analytical chemistry·2026
Same author

Marangoni-driven redistribution and activity of Piezo1 molecules in epithelial and cancer cells.

Advances in colloid and interface science·2026
Same author

Role of the lipid matrix in the action of local anesthetics.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Biomembranes·2026
Same author

Induced Proprioceptor and Low-Threshold Mechanoreceptor Neurons Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Exhibit Distinct Functional Mechanosensory Properties.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025
Same journal

Long-term potentiation in the brain: A synaptic memory mechanism.

Physiological reviews·2026
Same journal

Catecholamine metabolism revisited: From neurochemistry to integrative physiology and pathophysiology.

Physiological reviews·2026
Same journal

THE ORIGINS AND PROGRESSION OF PYLORIC METAPLASIA FOLLOWING GASTRIC MUCOSAL INJURY.

Physiological reviews·2026
Same journal

AKAP signaling: physiological and pathophysiological roles and opportunities for novel therapeutic concepts.

Physiological reviews·2026
Same journal

Mechanisms of transcranial magnetic brain stimulation.

Physiological reviews·2026
Same journal

Esophageal peristalsis in health and disease: mechanistic insights.

Physiological reviews·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Multifunctional, Micropipette-based Method for Incorporation And Stimulation of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Droplet Interface Bilayers
09:54

Multifunctional, Micropipette-based Method for Incorporation And Stimulation of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Droplet Interface Bilayers

Published on: November 19, 2015

Ion channels in microbes.

Boris Martinac1, Yoshiro Saimi, Ching Kung

  • 1School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. b.martinac@uq.edu.au

Physiological Reviews
|October 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial ion channels evolved early and offer insights into diverse physiological functions. Studying these prokaryotic channels provides a foundation for understanding complex eukaryotic systems and future molecular discoveries.

More Related Videos

Single-Molecule Imaging of Lateral Mobility and Ion Channel Activity in Lipid Bilayers using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy
08:55

Single-Molecule Imaging of Lateral Mobility and Ion Channel Activity in Lipid Bilayers using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy

Published on: February 17, 2023

Membrane Transport Processes Analyzed by a Highly Parallel Nanopore Chip System at Single Protein Resolution
11:55

Membrane Transport Processes Analyzed by a Highly Parallel Nanopore Chip System at Single Protein Resolution

Published on: August 16, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Multifunctional, Micropipette-based Method for Incorporation And Stimulation of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Droplet Interface Bilayers
09:54

Multifunctional, Micropipette-based Method for Incorporation And Stimulation of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Droplet Interface Bilayers

Published on: November 19, 2015

Single-Molecule Imaging of Lateral Mobility and Ion Channel Activity in Lipid Bilayers using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy
08:55

Single-Molecule Imaging of Lateral Mobility and Ion Channel Activity in Lipid Bilayers using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy

Published on: February 17, 2023

Membrane Transport Processes Analyzed by a Highly Parallel Nanopore Chip System at Single Protein Resolution
11:55

Membrane Transport Processes Analyzed by a Highly Parallel Nanopore Chip System at Single Protein Resolution

Published on: August 16, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Ion channel research has historically focused on animal models, overlooking their ancient origins.
  • Prokaryotic ion channels represent a diverse and evolutionarily significant group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on microbial ion channels.
  • To highlight the importance of microbial ion channels for understanding fundamental biological processes.
  • To explore the potential of microbial ion channels in solving future molecular mysteries.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of existing genome sequences to establish evolutionary links.
  • Review of crystallographic studies on major ion channel types.
  • Comparative analysis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic ion channel structures.

Main Results:

  • Prokaryotic ion channels exhibit significant diversity and evolutionary precedence.
  • Bacterial ion channel structures provide essential models for understanding eukaryotic channels.
  • Microbial systems are advantageous for laboratory-based structural studies of ion channels.

Conclusions:

  • The study of microbial ion channels is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of ion transport.
  • Microbial models are indispensable for elucidating the structure and function of ion channels across all domains of life.
  • Future breakthroughs in ion channel research may stem from continued investigation of microbial systems.