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Related Concept Videos

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...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
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.
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...
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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Related Experiment Video

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Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
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Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

Ancillary subunits associated with voltage-dependent K+ channels.

Olaf Pongs1, Jürgen R Schwarz

  • 1Institut für Neurale Signalverarbeitung, Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. morin@zmnh.uni-hamburg.de

Physiological Reviews
|April 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Ancillary subunits are crucial components of potassium (Kv) channels, influencing their function, assembly, and cellular localization. Mutations in these subunits are linked to various human diseases.

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Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
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Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
10:19

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
08:11

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

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Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
11:42

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Potassium (Kv) channels are essential for numerous cellular functions.
  • Ancillary subunits, including Kvbeta, KChIPs, KCNEs, and BKbeta, are integral to native Kv channel complexes.
  • These subunits exhibit significant structural diversity, from transmembrane proteins to cytoplasmic ones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review the physiological roles of ancillary Kv channel subunits.
  • To examine the diverse effects of ancillary subunits on Kv channel properties.
  • To explore the impact of ancillary subunits on channel assembly, trafficking, and localization.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Kv channel ancillary subunits.
  • Analysis of structural diversity and functional modulation by ancillary subunits.
  • Examination of disease-associated mutations in ancillary subunits.

Main Results:

  • Ancillary subunits modulate Kv channel gating, assembly, trafficking, and compartmentalization.
  • Mutations in ancillary subunits are linked to diseases such as hypertension, epilepsy, and arrhythmias.
  • Some ancillary subunits possess enzymatic activity or modulate enzymatic processes.

Conclusions:

  • Ancillary subunits are vital for Kv channel function and cellular physiology.
  • The diverse roles and interactions of ancillary subunits present challenges in understanding common principles of Kv channel regulation.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between Kvalpha and beta subunits.