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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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...
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...

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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Flow Cytometric Detection of Newly-formed Breast Cancer Stem Cell-like Cells After Apoptosis Reversal
11:21

Flow Cytometric Detection of Newly-formed Breast Cancer Stem Cell-like Cells After Apoptosis Reversal

Published on: January 26, 2019

Functional ion channels in stem cells.

Gui-Rong Li1, Xiu-Ling Deng

  • 1Gui-Rong Li, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.

World Journal of Stem Cells
|May 25, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ion channels regulate essential cell functions, including proliferation in stem cells. Their expression varies by species and origin, impacting stem cell behavior and requiring further research.

Keywords:
Ion channelsProliferationStem cells

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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

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Biophysics
  • Stem cell research

Background:

  • Ion channels generate bioelectrical signals vital for excitable and proliferative cells.
  • Ion channels are crucial for cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.
  • Heterogeneous expression of ion channels exists across different stem cell types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on functional ion channel expression in stem cells.
  • To explore the role of ion channels in regulating stem cell proliferation.
  • To highlight the species- and origin-dependency of ion channel patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on ion channels in stem cells.
  • Analysis of functional roles of ion channels in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
  • Synthesis of data on species- and origin-dependent ion channel expression.

Main Results:

  • Ion channels are heterogeneously expressed in various stem cells.
  • Ion channel expression patterns are dependent on species and cell origin.
  • Functional ion channels significantly regulate stem cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • Further investigation is needed to fully characterize ion channel expression in diverse stem cell populations.
  • Understanding the relationship between ion channels and stem cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation is critical.
  • Targeting ion channels may offer new strategies for controlling stem cell behavior.