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Related Concept Videos

Non-gated Ion Channels01:24

Non-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.
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-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...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-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...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

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...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-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...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
10:19

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

Opening closed inward rectifier potassium channel doors.

Anna Stary-Weinzinger1, Fabian Kaiser1, Marcel A G van der Heyden2

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

British Journal of Pharmacology
|February 19, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Inwardly rectifying potassium (KIR) channels regulate membrane potential but are often impaired by mutations. New subtype-specific activators are needed to treat channelopathies.

Keywords:
PIP2diseasesopenerspharmacologypotassium channels

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High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels
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High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels

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Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
11:42

Reconstitution 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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
10:19

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels
10:07

High-throughput Screening for Small-molecule Modulators of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels

Published on: January 27, 2013

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies
11:42

Reconstitution 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

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Inwardly rectifying potassium (KIR) channels are crucial for regulating cell membrane potential in various tissues.
  • Pathogenic mutations in KIR channels cause channelopathies, leading to loss-of-function phenotypes.
  • Current pharmacological tools for activating KIR channels are limited, with rare subtype selectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on KIR channel agonists.
  • To focus on agonists that can address PIP2-dependent loss-of-function mutations.
  • To highlight the need for subtype-specific KIR openers and PIP2-independent mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on KIR channel activators.
  • Analysis of small molecules targeting specific KIR subtypes (e.g., ML297, GiGA1, VU0529331, GPV0057).
  • Evaluation of therapeutic potential for channelopathies.

Main Results:

  • Several small molecules show selective activation for certain KIR subtypes.
  • No KIR channel activators have reached clinical trials.
  • Key subtypes like KIR1.1 and KIR7.1 lack known openers.

Conclusions:

  • There is an urgent need for subtype-specific KIR openers.
  • Development of PIP2-independent activators and comprehensive preclinical studies are essential.
  • Overcoming translational barriers could lead to new therapies for KIR channelopathies.