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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...
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.
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 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 channels.

Peter Bradding1, Heike Wulff

  • 1Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, , Leicester, UK.

Thorax
|April 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ion channels controlling calcium (Ca2+) influx are crucial for cellular processes and disease development. Targeting these ion channels offers a promising therapeutic strategy for severe asthma and other lung diseases.

Keywords:
AsthmaCough/Mechanisms/PharmacologyInterstitial Fibrosis

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 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

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

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:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Severe asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lack effective treatments.
  • Cellular functions depend on intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration.
  • Ca2+ influx is regulated by plasma membrane potential and ion channels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of ion channels in cellular signaling.
  • To propose ion channels as therapeutic targets for lung diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of cellular mechanisms involving ion transport.
  • Analysis of the role of Ca2+ and other ion channels in disease pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Ion channel activity is fundamental to pathological cellular functions.
  • Ca2+ influx, regulated by membrane potential and ion channels, is key.

Conclusions:

  • Ion channels are essential effectors in various disease mechanisms.
  • Targeting ion channels presents a viable therapeutic avenue for diverse diseases, including pulmonary conditions.