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Spatially Resolved Mapping of Voltage-Gated Proton Channel Activity Reveals Delayed Proton Transport in Local
Jiahua Zhuang1, Yang Xu1, Yuxian Lu2
1Laboratory of Experimental Physical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 14, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a new imaging method to study the voltage-gated proton channel Hv1. This channel influences intracellular pH and may play a role in neuropathological research.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Ion Channel Physiology
Background:
- Voltage-gated proton channel Hv1 (Hv1) is crucial for signal transduction via localized proton concentration changes.
- Its role in pH homeostasis and cellular distribution remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and dynamics of Hv1 in living bacteria.
- To understand Hv1's contribution to intracellular pH gradients and homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a single-molecule photobleaching quantitative imaging method.
- Utilized an Hv1-fused ratiometric pHluorin probe for real-time monitoring.
- Studied Hv1 dynamics in living bacterial cells.
Main Results:
- Hv1 does not exhibit sharp closure upon voltage removal.
- Hv1 directly induces localized intracellular pH gradient fluctuations.
- Proton transport via Hv1 is notably delayed in hypertonic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Hv1 activity creates localized pH microenvironments crucial for signal transduction.
- Findings offer new cellular-level insights for neuropathological research.
- Hv1's dynamic behavior impacts cellular pH regulation.
