Neuroscience Division, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
Neurosci Bull. 2012 Aug;28(4):351-74. doi: 10.1007/s12264-012-1248-0.
Ion channels, as membrane proteins, are the sensors of the cell. They act as the first line of communication with the world beyond the plasma membrane and transduce changes in the external and internal environments into unique electrical signals to shape the responses of excitable cells. Because of their importance in cellular communication, ion channels have been intensively studied at the structural and functional levels. Here, we summarize the diverse approaches, including molecular and cellular, chemical, optical, biophysical, and computational, used to probe the structural and functional rearrangements that occur during channel activation (or sensitization), inactivation (or desensitization), and various forms of modulation. The emerging insights into the structure and function of ion channels by multidisciplinary approaches allow the development of new pharmacotherapies as well as new tools useful in controlling cellular activity.
离子通道作为膜蛋白，是细胞的感应器。它们充当着与质膜之外世界进行交流的第一道防线，将外部和内部环境的变化转化为独特的电信号，从而塑造可兴奋细胞的反应。由于其在细胞通讯中的重要性，离子通道在结构和功能层面上得到了深入研究。在这里，我们总结了多种方法，包括分子和细胞、化学、光学、生物物理和计算方法，用于探测通道激活（或敏化）、失活（或脱敏）以及各种形式的调节过程中发生的结构和功能重排。多学科方法对离子通道结构和功能的新见解，使得新的药物治疗方法以及控制细胞活动的新工具得以发展。
