Emerging approaches to probing ion channel structure and function  

作　　者：Wei-Guang Li Tian-Le Xu 

机构地区：[1]Neuroscience Division,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology,Institute of Medical Sciences,ShanghaiJiao Tong University School of Medicine,Shanghai 200025,China

出　　处：《Neuroscience Bulletin》2012年第4期351-374,共24页神经科学通报（英文版）

基　　金：supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91132303,30830035);the National Basic Research Development Program of China (2011CBA00408);the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2012M511105)

摘　　要：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.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.

关 键 词：ion channel structure and function MUTAGENESIS covalent modification voltage-clamp fluorometry computational chemistry 

分 类 号：Q73[生物学—分子生物学] TH742[机械工程—光学工程]