Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
08:11
Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
Published on: November 11, 2022
3.3K
Electromagnetic field affects the voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv1.3
C Cecchetto1,2, M Maschietto1, P Boccaccio3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy , Padova, Italy.
Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine
|August 14, 2020
Summary
Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) significantly increased Kv1.3 potassium currents in a cell subpopulation. This suggests Kv1.3 channels may mediate cellular responses to ELF-EMF, impacting physiological processes.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cellular Electrophysiology
- Electromagnetic Biology
Background:
- Voltage-gated channels, including Kv1.3, are crucial for physiological functions.
- Kv1.3 is implicated in T-cell activation and immune responses.
- Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) are hypothesized to modulate voltage-gated channels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ELF-EMF on the Kv1.3 potassium channel.
- To determine if ELF-EMF influences Kv1.3 channel activity in a cellular model.
Main Methods:
- CHO-K1 cells expressing Kv1.3 were exposed to a 20 Hz ELF-EMF at 268 μT and 902 μT.
- Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record Kv1.3 potassium currents.
- Recordings were performed before, during, and after electromagnetic field exposure.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in Kv1.3 current was observed in a subpopulation of cells upon ELF-EMF exposure.
- The current increase initiated within seconds of exposure, reached a steady state, and returned to baseline post-exposure.
- The observed effects suggest a dynamic interaction between ELF-EMF and Kv1.3 channel activity.
Conclusions:
- Kv1.3 channels may act as mediators for cellular interactions with ELF-EMF.
- These findings open avenues for research into the molecular mechanisms of electromagnetic field effects on biological systems.
- Potential implications include understanding ELF-EMF's role in immunomodulation, inflammation, and cancer.
More Related Videos
11:42Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
Published on: January 22, 2015
19.6K
10:19Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
Published on: January 10, 2011
21.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
9.9K
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...
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...
9.9K
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
3.5K
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.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
3.5K
01:21Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview
4.1K
An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to...
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to...
4.1K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
7.4K
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...
7.4K
01:15Resting Potential Decay
5.8K
The resting membrane potential of a neuron (-70mV) is sustained due to the selective ion permeability of the membrane. At the resting potential, the membrane is slightly permeable to ions like sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) and highly permeable to potassium ions (K+). Differences in the ions' concentration inside the cell compared to the outside are maintained by membrane transport proteins like channels and pumps.
At rest, the K+ is the main ion that moves across the membrane...
At rest, the K+ is the main ion that moves across the membrane...
5.8K
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
498
Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
498