Analysis of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) are opened by the binding of specific ligands inside or outside the cell to binding sites on channel protein receptor molecules while undergoing immediate and rapid conformational changes. These channels constitute an important class of plasma membrane proteins essential for mediating intercellular communication and cell excitability. In vertebrates, the term LGICs specifically refers to three families of ionotropic receptors: Cys-loop receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), and P2X receptors (P2XRs). Among them, the Cys-loop family constitutes the largest class of LGICs.

Given their important roles in a variety of physiological processes in living organisms, LGICs have received extensive attention from researchers. Currently, with the rapid development of the field of structural biology, multiple available high-resolution X-ray structures of LGIC and receptor domains have been obtained, providing a structural basis for understanding the physiological and pharmacological characteristics of these channels.

Fig. 1 Ligand-gated ion channel superfamily morphology. (Rao, 2022)

Our Services

Creative Bioarray is committed to combining multiple techniques such as high-resolution electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, site-specific mutagenesis, and patch-clamp electrophysiology to help clients analyze the structural and functional characterization of LGICs. Our services include but not limited to:

• Characterization of pLGICs

We have established various techniques to help clients gain detailed new insights into the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic pLGICs.

• Characterization of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels

We help our clients characterize the structure and function of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) through multiple technologies.

• Characterization of ATP-Gated P2X Receptor Ion Channels

We help clients analyze the structure, function, and therapeutic potential of ATP-gated P2X receptor ion channels.

• Characterization of Glutamate Receptor Ion Channels

We provide our clients with detailed structural characterization, functional characterization, and kinetic analysis.

• Characterization of IP3 Receptors

We provide high-quality inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) characterization services to accelerate the understanding of IP3 receptor properties from structure to function.

• Characterization of Epithelial Sodium Channels

We provide high-quality epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) characterization services to obtain knowledge of the complex structure and important physiological functions of ENaCs.

• Characterization of Zinc-Activated Channel

We provide zinc-activated channel (ZAC) characterization services by developing methods for functional pharmacological characterization of heterologously expressed ZACs.

• Characterization of Ryanodine Receptors

We provide clients with detailed structural information about ryanodine receptors, as well as valuable information about expression patterns, molecular details, and other aspects.

• Analysis Receptor-Protein Interactions

We help clients analyze the interactions between LGICs and G-protein coupled receptors, intracellular proteins, and other ion channels.

• Thermodynamic Analysis of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

We provide clients with thermodynamic analysis services of LGICs, which involve measuring the energy associated with the gating of LGICs through techniques such as single-channel electrophysiology.

Creative Bioarray is committed to developing a variety of technologies to help clients gain new insights into the structure and function of LGICs. Our comprehensive and professional scientific services will contribute to your understanding of the structural basis of gating and selectivity in LGICs. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Rao, R.; et al. Ligand-gated ion channels as targets for treatment and management of cancers. Frontiers in Physiology, 2022: 332.