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Related Concept Videos

Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

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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...
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Non-gated Ion Channels01:24

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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.
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The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

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A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
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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.
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Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

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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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Action Potentials01:41

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
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Published on: May 25, 2011

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Sodium channels.

John N Wood1, Federico Iseppon1

  • 1Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK.

Brain and Neuroscience Advances
|March 14, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The voltage-gated sodium gene family, renamed NaV1.1-NaV1.9 in 2000, shows remarkable diversity and function. These sodium channels play crucial roles in nervous system signaling and are implicated in various diseases.

Keywords:
Sodium channelsaction potentialsepilepsyneuronal excitabilitypain

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The discovery of the voltage-gated sodium gene family (NaV1.1-NaV1.9) in 2000 marked a significant advancement in understanding neural electrical signaling.
  • Historical context traces the study of animal electricity from Galvani to modern molecular genetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical progression of research on animal electricity.
  • To highlight the impact of molecular genetics on understanding sodium channel diversity and function.
  • To underscore the emerging roles of sodium channels in diverse pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of scientific literature.
  • Analysis of seminal experiments (e.g., Hodgkin and Huxley).
  • Integration of discoveries in DNA structure, genetic code, and molecular genetics.

Main Results:

  • Identification of nine related voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV1.1-NaV1.9).
  • Appreciation of the extensive diversity and functional repertoire of sodium channels.
  • Recognition of unexpected roles for sodium channels in numerous diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular genetics has revolutionized the understanding of electrical signaling and sodium channels.
  • Sodium channels possess a broad range of functions beyond basic nerve impulse propagation.
  • Further research into sodium channels is critical for understanding and treating various pathologies.