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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.
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.
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.
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview01:21

Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview

An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell.  This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

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

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

Published on: January 22, 2015

Neuronal voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels function in macromolecular complexes.

Aaron J Norris1, Nicholas C Foeger, Jeanne M Nerbonne

  • 1Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8103, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.

Neuroscience Letters
|September 4, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Native neuronal voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are complex assemblies. Accessory subunits critically regulate Kv channel function, expression, and properties in neurons, impacting neurological health.

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Reconstitution of a Kv Channel into Lipid Membranes for Structural and Functional Studies
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Reconstitution of a Kv Channel into Lipid Membranes for Structural and Functional Studies

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Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

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

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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Reconstitution of a Kv Channel into Lipid Membranes for Structural and Functional Studies
10:22

Reconstitution of a Kv Channel into Lipid Membranes for Structural and Functional Studies

Published on: July 13, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Native neuronal voltage-gated potassium (Kv) currents arise from complex macromolecular Kv channel complexes.
  • These complexes include pore-forming α-subunits, accessory subunits, and regulatory/scaffolding proteins.
  • Kv channel components influence channel stability, trafficking, localization, and biophysical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the roles of Kv channel accessory subunits in native neuronal Kv channel generation.
  • To explore how accessory subunits integrate signaling pathways (e.g., Ca2+, metabolism) to regulate Kv channel expression and properties.
  • To highlight the necessity of neuronal studies for understanding physiological roles, overcoming experimental hurdles.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on Kv channel accessory subunits.
  • Analysis of findings from heterologous cell expression systems.
  • Emphasis on the need for experiments conducted within native neuronal environments.

Main Results:

  • Kv channel accessory subunits play multifaceted roles in generating native neuronal Kv channels.
  • Accessory subunits can modulate Kv channel behavior in response to intracellular signals like Ca2+ and metabolic changes.
  • Heterologous cell studies provide insights, but neuronal experiments are crucial for physiological relevance.

Conclusions:

  • Kv channel accessory and associated proteins are essential for native neuronal Kv channel function.
  • Understanding these components is vital for addressing neurological disorders linked to altered Kv channel activity.
  • Overcoming technological and experimental challenges is key to advancing this research field.