Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Measuring Nucleotide Binding to Intact, Functional Membrane Proteins in Real Time
Published on: March 11, 2021
Ankyrin regulates KATP channel membrane trafficking and gating in excitable cells
Crystal F Kline1, Thomas J Hund, Peter J Mohler
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Abstract:
K(ATP) channels play critical roles in many cellular functions by coupling cell metabolic status to electrical activity. First discovered in cardiomyocytes,(1) K(ATP) channels (comprised of Kir6.x and SUR subunits) have since been found in many other tissues, including pancreatic beta cells, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, brain, pituitary and kidney. By linking cellular metabolic state with membrane potential, K(ATP) channels are able to regulate a number of cellular functions such as hormone secretion, vascular tone and excitability. Specifically, a reduction in metabolism causes a decrease in the ATP:ADP ratio, opening of K(ATP) channels, K(+) efflux, membrane hyperpolarization, and suppression of electrical activity. Conversely, increased cellular metabolism causes an increase in the ATP:ADP ratio that leads to closure of the K(ATP) channel, membrane depolarization, and stimulation of cell electrical activity.
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,...
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 Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.

