Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Measuring Nucleotide Binding to Intact, Functional Membrane Proteins in Real Time
Published on: March 11, 2021
Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels
Martin Biel1, Stylianos Michalakis
1Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPS-M and Zentrum für Pharmaforschung-Department Pharmazie, Pharmakologie für Naturwissenschaften, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, München, 81377, Germany. mbiel@cup.uni-muenchen.de
Abstract:
Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are ion channels which are activated by the binding of cGMP or cAMP. The channels are important cellular switches which transduce changes in intracellular concentrations of cyclic nucleotides into changes of the membrane potential and the Ca2+ concentration. CNG channels play a central role in the signal transduction pathways of vision and olfaction. Structurally, the channels belong to the superfamily of pore-loop cation channels. They share a common domain structure with hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels and Eag-like K+ channels. In this chapter, we give an overview on the molecular properties of CNG channels and describe the signal transduction pathways these channels are involved in. We will also summarize recent insights into the physiological and pathophysiological role of CNG channel proteins that have emerged from the analysis of CNG channel-deficient mouse models and human channelopathies.
Related Concept Videos
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.
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.
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
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...

