Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
Ion Channels01:19

Ion Channels

The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Nuclear and cytoskeletal structural alterations in human alveolar epithelial cells by solvent-extracted organic matter from PM<sub>2.5</sub>.

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology·2026
Same author

Cannabidiol-Ion Channel Interactions Represent a Promising Preventive and Therapeutic Strategy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Pathophysiology : the official journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology·2026
Same author

Urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in nephrotoxicity induced by PM<sub>2.5</sub> in a rat model.

Inhalation toxicology·2025
Same author

Fine particulate matter and intima media thickness: Role of endothelial function biomarkers.

Environmental epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2024
Same author

The Effects of Nebivolol-Gefitinib-Loratadine Against Lung Cancer Cell Lines.

In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2024
Same author

Intriguing hepatoprotective effects of sucrose on hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis.

Scientific reports·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells
06:19

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells

Published on: June 16, 2023

Ion channels in toxicology.

Iván Restrepo-Angulo1, Andrea De Vizcaya-Ruiz, Javier Camacho

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, México D. F. 07360, México.

Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT
|June 29, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Ion channels are crucial for human health and toxicology, influencing processes from cardiac function to disease. Their regulation by environmental chemicals and drugs highlights their role in health and disease, making them key toxicological indicators.

More Related Videos

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
11:32

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 28, 2016

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels
10:07

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels

Published on: January 27, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells
06:19

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells

Published on: June 16, 2023

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
11:32

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 28, 2016

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels
10:07

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels

Published on: January 27, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Ion channels are integral membrane proteins essential for numerous physiological processes, including neural transmission, cardiac function, and cellular homeostasis.
  • Dysregulation of ion channel activity is implicated in various diseases and can be influenced by environmental factors and xenobiotics.
  • Understanding ion channel function is critical for assessing drug safety and the toxicological impact of environmental pollutants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of ion channels in biological processes relevant to toxicology.
  • To summarize findings on the adverse effects of drugs and environmental chemicals on ion channel function.
  • To highlight the potential of ion channels as biomarkers for xenobiotic toxicity and early disease detection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing existing research on ion channels in toxicology.
  • Analysis of studies investigating drug-ion channel interactions and their toxicological implications.
  • Examination of research on environmental chemical-induced ion channel modulation.

Main Results:

  • Ion channels are involved in critical toxicological pathways, including cardiac function, apoptosis, and cell proliferation.
  • Non-specific drug binding to ion channels contributes significantly to adverse drug reactions, necessitating safety screening.
  • Environmental chemicals, including pesticides, can modulate ion channel activity, linking pollution to human diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Ion channels are pivotal in mediating the toxic effects of xenobiotics and environmental pollutants.
  • Ion channel screening is essential for pharmaceutical safety and understanding disease mechanisms.
  • These proteins serve as promising indicators for early detection of toxic exposures and life-threatening conditions.