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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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,...
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.

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Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells
15:28

Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells

Published on: October 1, 2010

Hyperpolarization-activated cation channels: from genes to function.

Martin Biel1, Christian Wahl-Schott, 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, Munich D-81377, Germany. mbiel@cup.uni-muenchen.de

Physiological Reviews
|July 9, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are crucial for heart and nervous system function. This review details their structure, roles in rhythmicity and non-rhythmic processes, and therapeutic potential.

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells
15:28

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are pore-loop cation channels.
  • The HCN family includes four members (HCN1-4) in mammals, found in the heart and nervous system.
  • HCN channels generate the I(h) current, known as pacemaker current, vital for rhythmic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in HCN channel structure, function, and regulation.
  • To explore the diverse physiological roles of HCN channels in the heart and nervous system.
  • To discuss the involvement of HCN channels in disease pathogenesis and their potential as drug targets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of extensive studies on HCN channel physiology.
  • Analysis of data from HCN knockout mouse models to understand individual channel roles.
  • Synthesis of current research on HCN channel structure-function relationships.

Main Results:

  • HCN channels are critical not only for pacemaker activity but also for non-rhythmic functions like resting membrane potential and synaptic transmission.
  • Individual HCN channel subtypes (HCN1-4) have distinct roles in cardiac and neuronal physiology.
  • Dysfunction of HCN channels is implicated in various diseases, highlighting their therapeutic relevance.

Conclusions:

  • HCN channels are essential regulators of cardiac and neuronal excitability with diverse physiological functions.
  • Understanding HCN channel subtypes and their roles is key to elucidating their contribution to health and disease.
  • Targeting HCN channels represents a promising therapeutic strategy for several neurological and cardiac conditions.