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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
08:00
Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes
Published on: October 16, 2008
Neher and Sakmann: Single Ion Channels.
1Professor of Medicine (Retd), Topiwala National Medical College and Bai Yamunabai Laxman Nair Charitable Hospital; Honorary Physician, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Summary
Cell membrane permeability is key to biological functions. Research by Hodgkin, Huxley, Neher, and Sakmann revealed how ion channels and membrane proteins regulate molecular and ion flow, impacting health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell membrane permeability is fundamental to most biological functions.
- Early work by Hodgkin and Huxley (1963 Nobel Prize) elucidated macroscopic current regulation in nerve cells.
- Understanding molecular and ion transport across cell membranes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the discovery of specific ion channels.
- To explain the role of membrane proteins as regulators of transport.
- To connect these mechanisms to physiological and pathological processes.
Main Methods:
- Macroscopic current recordings (Hodgkin and Huxley).
- Identification and characterization of specific ion channels (Neher and Sakmann).
- Investigation of membrane protein function in transport regulation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the existence of specific ion channels.
- Established membrane proteins as key regulators (gates/transporters) of cellular transport.
- Linked ion channel and transporter function to biological regulation.
Conclusions:
- Specific ion channels and membrane proteins are critical for regulating cell membrane permeability.
- These mechanisms are essential for normal physiological processes.
- Dysregulation of these channels and proteins contributes to pathological conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Non-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.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
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.
01:26Voltage-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...
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...
01:12Mechanically-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...
01:24Non-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.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:12Mechanically-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...