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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...
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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

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

Ion channel voltage sensors: structure, function, and pathophysiology.

William A Catterall1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7280, USA. wcatt@u.washington.edu

Neuron
|September 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Voltage-gated ion channels use a sliding-helix mechanism for electromechanical coupling. Understanding voltage-sensor function may lead to new drugs targeting these sensors for treating channelopathies.

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

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

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

Functional Site-Directed Fluorometry in Native Cells to Study Skeletal Muscle Excitability
12:26

Functional Site-Directed Fluorometry in Native Cells to Study Skeletal Muscle Excitability

Published on: June 2, 2023

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

Published on: November 11, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Voltage-gated ion channels are crucial for electrical signaling in all species.
  • Their voltage-sensing modules initiate action potentials and membrane potential changes.
  • Dysfunction of these channels is implicated in various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism of electromechanical coupling in voltage-gated ion channels.
  • To explore the role of voltage-sensor function in channelopathies.
  • To identify new therapeutic targets for ion channel-related disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing structure-function studies.
  • Employing structure determination techniques.
  • Applying molecular modeling approaches.

Main Results:

  • A sliding-helix mechanism for electromechanical coupling has been proposed.
  • Outward movement of gating charges in S4 segments drives channel opening.
  • Mutations in Na+ channels, particularly Na(V)1.4, cause channelopathies like hypokalemic periodic paralysis via gating pore currents.

Conclusions:

  • The emerging structural model provides insight into voltage-sensor function.
  • This understanding facilitates the development of novel ion channel drugs.
  • Future therapies may target voltage sensors instead of pore blockers.