Ion channels: Difference between revisions
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== Function == | == Function == | ||
[[Ion channels]] are membrane proteins that catalyze the passive transport of ions through the cell membrane. Most ion channels are specific to an ion, like the '''sodium channels''', or the '''potassium channels'''. Some, like the '''TRP channels''', let through various cations. Another property of ion channels is that they can be either driven by voltage or by concentration gradients, or they can be gated (by voltage, ligands, touch and other sensory signal). [[Potassium Channel|Potassium channels]] (KCh) are subdivided to voltage-gated KCh and calcium-dependent KCh. The latter are subdivided into high- (BK, LKCa), intermediate- and small-conductance KCh (human SK1, rat SK2, SKCa). | [[Ion channels]] are membrane proteins that catalyze the passive transport of ions through the cell membrane. Most ion channels are specific to an ion, like the '''sodium channels''', or the '''potassium channels'''. Some, like the '''TRP channels''', let through various cations. Another property of ion channels is that they can be either driven by voltage or by concentration gradients, or they can be gated (by voltage, ligands, touch and other sensory signal). [[Potassium Channel|Potassium channels]] (KCh) are subdivided to voltage-gated KCh and calcium-dependent KCh. The latter are subdivided into high- (BK, LKCa), intermediate- and small-conductance KCh (human SK1, rat SK2, SKCa). | ||
'''MthK''' is a calcium-dependent potassium channel from ''Methanobacterium thermoautrophicum''. '''MscL''' and '''MscS''' are large- and small-conductance mechanosensitive channels which protect bacteria from osmotic shock by allowing ions to flow across the cell membrane [[Mechanosensitive channels: opening and closing]] | '''MthK''' is a calcium-dependent potassium channel from ''Methanobacterium thermoautrophicum''. '''MscL''' and '''MscS''' are large- and small-conductance mechanosensitive channels which protect bacteria from osmotic shock by allowing ions to flow across the cell membrane [[Mechanosensitive channels: opening and closing]]. '''Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channels''' (VDCC) allow Ca+2 ions to enter the cell resulting in muscle contraction, neuron excitation or hormone release. VDCC are composed of several subunits and are named as a Cav gene product. The human annexin V molecule serves as a calcium channel. There are also '''Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels''' (VDAC). '''Chloride ion channels''' (ClCh) are involved in maintaining pH, volume homeostasis and more. '''Ligand-Gated Ion Channels''' (LGIC) open or close when binding a ligand like a neurotransmitter. The '''Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated channels''' (CNGC) conduct cations upon binding of cAMP or cGMP. The '''Acid-Sensitive channels''' (ASC) conduct cations upon binding of acid. The '''glycerol facilitator''' (GlpF) is a protein channel which transports glycerol across the cell membrane of ''E. coli''. Other ion channel proteins are the aquaporins, gramicidin, antiamoebin, trichotoxin, peptaibol and the glutamate receptor. Finally, ion channels are the fastest of all membrane transporters, with 10<sup>6</sup> to 10<sup>8</sup> transported units per second versus 10<sup>2</sup> to 10<sup>4</sup> molecules per second for porters/carriers, or 10<sup>0</sup> to 10<sup>3</sup> for ATP-driven pumps. Specific details in:<br /> | ||
*[[Proton Channels]], <br /> | *[[Proton Channels]], <br /> | ||
*[[Membrane Channels & Pumps]],<br /> | *[[Membrane Channels & Pumps]],<br /> | ||