Articles tagged with Ion Channels
Researchers at National University of Singapore study the effect of silicon crystal periodicity on high-energy ion trajectories in thin crystals. They found that thinner crystals enable more precise control over the distribution of transmitted ions.
Researchers have discovered that Piezo channels are highly sensitive to changes in membrane voltage, which helps cells protect themselves from mechanical overstimulation. This mechanism has been found to exist in humans, mice, flies, and fish, and is even more pronounced in older species.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered the atomic structure of acid-sensing ion channels, which play a role in pain sensation and psychiatric disorders. The study's findings could inform the development of new therapeutic agents targeting these channels for stroke and pain treatments.
Researchers at Tohoku University have created a novel approach to screen drugs for their potential impact on the heart by cultivating lipid membranes around tiny holes in silicon chips. The team found that lipid membranes attached better to tapered holes, enabling more efficient testing of drug effects on ion channels.
A golden head centipede can subdue a caged mouse in under 30 seconds by injecting an estimated 30 μl of crude venom containing SsTx. The peptide toxin strongly inhibits KCNQ4 channels, controlling pulmonary vascular tone and arterial tension, leading to vasoconstriction and cardiovascular effects.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have solved the mystery of Piezo1's structure, revealing three curved blades that move in response to mechanical force. The findings point the way to targeting diseases where Piezo1 is mutated.
The researchers discovered the structure of Channelrhodopsin 2, enabling a deeper understanding of its mechanism of action. This knowledge could lead to improved optogenetic tools for studying neurodegenerative diseases and developing gene therapies.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified specific ion channels in airway cells that recognize lipopolysaccharide molecules from bacteria, triggering a rapid response mechanism against infections. This early defence mechanism is essential for combating bacterial invasion and could lead to the development of more effective treatments.
Scientists use single-molecule FRET imaging techniques to study the dynamics of NMDA receptor gates, which control chemical signals into electrical signals. The research reveals that these gates have multiple conformational interactions that improve or degrade signaling.
Researchers discover latrophilin/CIRL receptor's mechanism of action, using ion channels and intracellular messengers to trigger signal cascades. The study uses Drosophila larvae and super-resolution microscopy to visualize receptor location and signal transmission.
Researchers developed a novel macrocyclic host molecule with exchangeable caps, enabling control of ion uptake/release on an everyday time scale. The discovery enables practical applications like storage and transport of molecules or uptake/release of target molecules at will.
Erhu Cao, a University of Utah biochemist, has been named a Pew Scholar to explore the dynamic interactions within cell membranes. His research focuses on ADPKD, a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people, and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Scientists at IBS create nanostructures that function as channels for iodide transport in cell membranes, offering a new approach to diagnose and treat iodide transport disorders. The newly developed synthetic ion channels, called porphyrin boxes 1A (PB-1A), selectively allow the passage of negatively-charged ions, such as iodides.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that a small RNA molecule in sensory neurons regulates how touch is perceived, leading to increased pain sensitivity after nerve damage. The study's results suggest that microRNA-based drugs could be a promising treatment option for chronic nerve pain.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a low-cost water treatment system that uses carbon dioxide to remove particles from dirty water. The system splits the water stream and filters out suspended particles based on their electrical charge, making it an effective method for cleaning water from ponds or rivers.
The study provides detailed insights into the function of IP3R, a molecular train station controlling cell functions. The new crystal structure reveals how IP3 signals trigger the opening of the Ca2+ channel, shedding light on long-range communication mechanisms.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a synthetic ion channel molecule with two distinct openings, allowing for different-shaped paths into a cell. The molecule's rotation and attachment to lipids control its conductance states, offering potential insights into the unique functioning of these channels in living organisms.
Colorado State University scientists have shed light on the relationship between cell membranes and cortical actin cytoskeletons. They used superresolution imaging to visualize proteins on the cell surface, revealing sophisticated patterns of movement that are directly caused by the fractal nature of the actin network.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that malaria mosquitos are sensitive to horseradish, similar to the effects of heat on vertebrates. This finding suggests a shared molecular mechanism underlying temperature sensing in insects and animals.
The DFG is establishing seven new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in various fields, including predicting human behavioral patterns and studying the matter inside planets. The first funding period will receive approximately €17 million.
Researchers identified a substance called OB-1 that suppresses neuropathic pain caused by nerve injuries or diabetes without affecting other sensations. The compound tunes down the ion channel responsible for mechanical hypersensitivity, providing a new strategy for treating painful conditions.
Research shows that excess nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, causes overactivity of the TRPV ion channel, leading to cell death and behavioral changes in Caenorhabditis elegans. The study provides clues to the mechanism causing cell death and links it to behavior.
Researchers have made new insights into the underlying mechanisms of cystic fibrosis, a deadly genetic disorder affecting the lungs and other organs. The study reveals how estrogen disrupts ion transport in patients with CF, leading to more severe symptoms and shorter life expectancy for women.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute develop a method to rapidly identify and optimize venoms for therapeutic use, finding potential treatments for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. They create a library of venom genes and use a cell-based selection system to find potent molecules that block key targets.
EPFL researchers demonstrate that ion channels can be explained by the Coulomb blockade law, a principle governing electron transport in quantum dots. The discovery sheds light on how ions travel through nanopores, a fundamental aspect of cellular function.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/2016 provides an overview of 1,700 human drug targets, focusing on those exploited in the clinic or with future therapeutic potential. The guide combines evidence-based data with summaries of molecular targets, allowing users to rapidly gain insight into their function and comparative pharmacology.
Researchers discovered that treating newborn mice with bumetanide can almost completely prevent the disease progression and allow them to develop normally. The study suggests that timing is crucial, as treatment within the first two postnatal weeks can normalize brain activity and behavior.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that bacteria use electrical signaling mechanisms similar to those in the human brain to communicate and resolve metabolic stress. This discovery suggests that bacterial biofilms may be connected to neurological disorders, such as migraines and seizures.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre discover the structure of a key protein involved in body hydration and temperature regulation. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments and diagnostic tests for conditions such as hyponatremia, a disorder that affects sodium levels in the blood.
Scientists at MIT have developed tiny graphene pores that exhibit diverse preferences for certain ions, similar to those found in biological channels. The findings have significant implications for the development of ion-specific membranes for environmental sensing and trace metal mining.
Scientists solved the atomic structure of a fluoride ion channel using synthetic proteins called monobodies. The discovery revealed a unique 'double-barreled' architecture with two pathways for fluoride ion flow, differing from typical ion channels.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have determined the molecular mechanism involved in light-induced activation of Channelrhodopsin-2, a widely used protein in optogenetics. The discovery provides insights into creating tailor-made proteins optimized for use in optogenetics experiments.
Researchers at the University of Basel measured the movement of natural channel proteins in artificial membranes for the first time. The results show that these proteins move up to ten times slower than in their natural environment, a phenomenon linked to membrane flexibility and fluidity.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows that light can be used to stimulate larynx muscles in mice, a potential breakthrough for treating laryngeal paralysis. The researchers used Channelrhodopsins, exotic molecules that open ion channels when illuminated, to create static and dynamic contractions.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine has linked a protein called CLCA1 to the overproduction of mucus in diseases like asthma and COPD. Increased expression of CLCA1 increases the number of TMEM16A channels present in nearby cells, leading to more Ca2+ dependent chloride currents.
Electrical engineers at ETH Zurich and biologists from the University of Bern have developed a new method to record the activity of moving cells, including beating cardiac muscle cells. The new method combines the patch-clamp technique with an atomic force microscope, allowing for longer measurements and automation.
Researchers have identified two novel compounds with high potency and low toxicity as potential new general anesthetics. The discovery was made using a high-throughput screening process that tested over 350,000 compounds, and the team is now working to optimize and test these compounds further.
The EHT model describes the mode of action of channelrhodopsin-2 as a twisted retinal group triggering a pore opening and water entry. This understanding enables targeted protein engineering for specific applications.
Scientists have discovered that a genetic mutation associated with type 2 oculocutaneous albinism blocks ion channels in melanosomes, leading to a lack of melanin production. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying albinism and may inspire new treatment ideas.
Cartilage cells have multiple sensory systems that respond to mechanical strain, leading to cell death. Researchers found two ion channels, Piezo1 and Piezo2, that are critical for sensing forceful injury, and a substance from tarantula venom extract can block these channels, preventing cell death.
Researchers have discovered that single-wall carbon nanotubes can form channels in artificial membranes and living cell membranes with comparable transport properties to protein channels. These structures are stable in solution and can transport ions and even DNA, offering a promising approach for membrane transportation mechanisms.
Recent studies have uncovered the mechanisms that allow bacteria to battle fluoride toxicity. Researchers found that bacteria use two types of proteins, fluoride/hydrogen antiporters and passive channels like Fluc, to rid themselves of unwanted fluoride. This knowledge could lead to new treatments for harmful bacterial diseases.
Scientists have obtained an atomic-level picture of the intact NMDA receptor, a massive multi-subunit complex that integrates chemical and electrical signals in the brain. The structure reveals how the receptor is regulated and offers new insight into its function, which is tightly controlled and associated with neurological diseases.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have obtained an unprecedented view of a type of brain-cell receptor implicated in neurological illnesses. The team's atomic-level picture of the intact NMDA receptor should serve as a template and guide for the design of therapeutic compounds.
Researchers have developed a new theoretical model to understand how cells monitor and self-regulate their properties in the face of continual cellular turnover. The model suggests that neurons use an internal gauge to adjust ion channel expression, but this system can lead to neuronal hyperexcitability and disrupt overall homeostasis.
A Stanford team has re-engineered light-sensitive proteins to switch cells off more efficiently, enabling researchers to better understand brain circuits involved in behavior and emotion. This breakthrough improves the precision of optogenetics, a technique used to study biological systems with electrical signals.
Researchers have developed a new tool to silence neurons with high reliability and efficiency. The new channelrhodopsin variant, iC1C2, allows neuroscientists to both activate and inactivate neurons in deep brain structures using dim pulses of light.
Researchers have successfully imaged the critical transition of proteins passing through a transit pore in cell membranes. The study reveals a side-door within the channel that opens to allow proteins to diffuse into the membrane, and provides new insights into protein function and dynamics.
A study published in Nature Chemical Biology found that a molecular switch in the nerves responsible for detecting pain can 'short-circuit', intensifying pain. This alternative pathway activates the pain nerves, increasing the sensation of pain.
Cartilage cells can grow new tissue when exposed to chemical signals mimicking physical activity, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis. Researchers identified the ion channel TRPV4 as key to this process.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new technique for testing pharmaceutical drugs, allowing for faster and less expensive evaluation of ion channels. This method uses cell-free expression mixtures and artificial membranes, enabling quicker testing of multiple types of channels simultaneously.
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München elucidated the mode of action of one crucial component of the heart's intrinsic pacemaker, HCN1 channels. These channels control heartbeat and cardiac rhythmicity by regulating ion flow across cell membranes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that mice lacking TRPC5 were protected from losing kidney filter function following kidney injury. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPC5 also protected animals from protein loss in the urine.
Scientists have captured images of the SecY/Sec61 channels in cell membranes, revealing how nascent proteins are transported to their target destinations. This discovery provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of protein transport and cell function.
Researchers at CU University of Colorado discovered that maximum heart rate drops with age because the sinoatrial node's natural pacemaker cells beat more slowly in older individuals. This decrease limits athletic performance and is a leading cause for nursing home admissions among otherwise healthy seniors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a novel mechanism by which Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria cause illness. The study reveals how the bacteria's effector protein, VopQ, disrupts autophagy by forming gated ion channels.
A team of researchers at Columbia Engineering has achieved record-breaking temporal resolution in measuring individual ion-channel proteins using miniaturized electronics. This breakthrough enables new understanding of their functions and opens opportunities in biotechnology and biophysics.
Scientists have identified a key gateway to the brain that is affected by alcohol, which could lead to the development of drugs that disrupt this interaction. The breakthrough was made using rare alpine bacteria, and the researchers plan to use mice to study the effects of altering this protein on behavior.
Researchers have developed temperature-controlled nanopores that can detect and identify a wide range of molecules in the bloodstream, including proteins and DNA. This innovation may enable doctors to diagnose diseases more effectively by quickly identifying indicators of disease in the blood.
Two UT Southwestern researchers, Dr. Lora Hooper and Dr. Youxing Jiang, are recognized for their innovative work on immune mechanisms and ion channels. Their discoveries have significant implications for understanding and treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disorders and channelopathies.