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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...

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Measuring Nucleotide Binding to Intact, Functional Membrane Proteins in Real Time
08:33

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

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|December 18, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels act as cellular switches, regulating ion concentrations and membrane potential in vision and olfaction. Their molecular properties and roles in health and disease are crucial for understanding cellular signaling.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cellular physiology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are critical ion channels activated by cyclic nucleotides (cGMP, cAMP).
  • These channels function as cellular switches, translating cyclic nucleotide levels into changes in membrane potential and intracellular calcium.
  • CNG channels are integral to signal transduction in sensory pathways, particularly vision and olfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular properties of CNG channels.
  • To elucidate the signal transduction pathways mediated by CNG channels.
  • To summarize recent findings on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of CNG channels, including insights from genetic models and human diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular properties and structural characteristics of CNG channels.
  • Analysis of signal transduction pathways involving CNG channels.
  • Examination of data from CNG channel-deficient mouse models and human channelopathies.

Main Results:

  • CNG channels belong to the pore-loop cation channel superfamily, sharing structural similarities with HCN and Eag-like K+ channels.
  • Detailed description of CNG channel involvement in sensory transduction, particularly in photoreceptor and olfactory neurons.
  • Emerging understanding of CNG channel function in various physiological processes and disease states.

Conclusions:

  • CNG channels are fundamental molecular components in sensory perception and cellular signaling.
  • Understanding CNG channel molecular biology and function is key to addressing related channelopathies.
  • Further research into CNG channels offers potential therapeutic targets for sensory and neurological disorders.