Anderson P A, Greenberg R M
Whitney Laboratory and Department of Physiology, University of Florida, 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA.
Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol. 2001 May;129(1):17-28. doi: 10.1016/s1096-4959(01)00376-1.
Voltage-gated ion channels are responsible for the electrical activity in a variety of cell types in modern-day animals. However, they represent the result of many millions of years of evolution of a family of ion channel proteins that are also found in prokaryotes and diverse eukaryotes, and probably exist in all life forms. This review traces the evolution of ion channels, with particular emphasis on the factors and evolutionary pathways that may have given rise to voltage-gated potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and sodium (Na+) channels. The review also highlights the utility of comparing phylogenetically distinct versions of the same protein as a means to better understand the structure and function of proteins.
电压门控离子通道负责现代动物多种细胞类型中的电活动。然而，它们是离子通道蛋白家族历经数百万年进化的结果，这些离子通道蛋白在原核生物和各种真核生物中也有发现，并且可能存在于所有生命形式中。本综述追溯了离子通道的进化，特别强调了可能导致电压门控钾（K+）、钙（Ca2+）和钠（Na+）通道产生的因素和进化途径。该综述还强调了比较同一蛋白质在系统发育上不同版本的作用，以此作为更好地理解蛋白质结构和功能的一种手段。
