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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...
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.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
10:19

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

Voltage-gated sodium channels at 60: structure, function and pathophysiology.

William A Catterall1

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

The Journal of Physiology
|April 5, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Voltage-gated sodium channels are crucial for action potentials in excitable cells. Research has advanced our understanding of their structure, function, and role in diseases, paving the way for new therapeutics.

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Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
10:19

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

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

Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components
10:14

Recapitulation of an Ion Channel IV Curve Using Frequency Components

Published on: February 8, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are fundamental to action potential generation in nerve and muscle cells.
  • Hodgkin and Huxley's 1952 work established foundational concepts of sodium selectivity, activation, and inactivation.
  • Decades of research have built upon this legacy, elucidating VGSC protein structure, function, and disease relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the historical and ongoing research legacy stemming from Hodgkin and Huxley's work on voltage-gated sodium channels.
  • To discuss the evolution of conceptual and structural models of sodium channel function, including drug block mechanisms.
  • To highlight the role of sodium channels as targets for disease mutations and therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical and contemporary scientific literature on voltage-gated sodium channels.
  • Analysis of structural and functional studies, including high-resolution structural determination.
  • Exploration of disease-related mutations and their impact on channel function.

Main Results:

  • Detailed structural models for sodium selectivity, conductance, voltage-dependent activation, and fast inactivation have been developed.
  • The structural basis for drug block of sodium channels has been defined.
  • The significant role of sodium channels as targets for various disease mutations is increasingly understood.

Conclusions:

  • The foundational work by Hodgkin and Huxley continues to inspire advancements in understanding voltage-gated sodium channels.
  • High-resolution structural data has significantly enhanced mechanistic insights into channel gating and drug interactions.
  • Future research holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies targeting sodium channels in disease states.