Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
06:19
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
3.8K
Cannabinoid interactions with ion channels and receptors
1a Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology , Simon Fraser University , Burnaby , BC , Canada.
Channels (Austin, Tex.)
|May 16, 2019
Summary
Cannabidiol (CBD) may treat epilepsy and pain by affecting voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav). Research explores if CBD alters cell membranes, not just channels, for therapeutic effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa component, interacts with various membrane proteins.
- Voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) are crucial in epilepsy and chronic pain.
- CBD's therapeutic potential for these conditions is linked to Nav modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on CBD and cannabinoid effects on membrane channel function, focusing on Nav.
- To investigate the mechanism of CBD interaction with Nav, including potential effects on lipid bilayers.
- To highlight the significance of CBD's target interaction for therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies reporting reproducible results of cannabinoid interactions with membrane channels.
- Analysis of research focusing on voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) and their role in neurological disorders.
- Exploration of proposed mechanisms, including direct channel interaction versus lipid bilayer modulation.
Main Results:
- CBD exhibits a broad interaction profile with membrane proteins, including Nav.
- Nav channels are implicated in severe epilepsy and chronic pain conditions.
- Evidence suggests CBD may influence Nav function indirectly by altering membrane properties.
Conclusions:
- CBD's interaction with Nav presents a promising therapeutic avenue for epilepsy and chronic pain.
- Understanding CBD's mechanism of action, particularly its effect on lipid bilayers, is crucial for further research.
- Cannabinoids show potential as therapeutic agents for neurological and pain-related disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Ion Channels
91.2K
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...
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow...
91.2K
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
3.9K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
3.9K
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
8.1K
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....
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
8.1K
01:21G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
5.6K
GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision. The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory...
Sensory...
5.6K
01:19Ligand-gated Ion Channels
14.0K
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...
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...
14.0K
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
10.6K
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...
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...
10.6K