Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Measuring Nucleotide Binding to Intact, Functional Membrane Proteins in Real Time
Published on: March 11, 2021
Cooperative and uncooperative cyclic-nucleotide-gated ion channels
Abhishek Cukkemane1, Reinhard Seifert, U Benjamin Kaupp
1Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Ion channels gated by cyclic nucleotides serve multiple functions in sensory signaling in diverse cell types ranging from neurons to sperm. Newly discovered members from bacteria and marine invertebrates provide a wealth of structural and functional information on this channel family. A hallmark of classical tetrameric cyclic-nucleotide-gated channels is their cooperative activation by binding of several ligands. By contrast, the new members seem to be uncooperative, and binding of a single ligand molecule suffices to open these channels. These new findings provide a fresh look at the mechanism of allosteric activation of ion channels.
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.
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
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...

