Analysis of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are a kind of transmembrane proteins, which are mainly responsible for the generation and propagation of action potentials. Through the change of membrane potential, the control channels present closed, activated, and deactivated states, respectively, resulting in the selective conductivity of ions. The most prominent voltage-sensitive members of this superfamily can be divided into three families according to the types of ions they transport, voltage-gated calcium channels (Ca_Vs), voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_Vs), and voltage-gated potassium channels (K_Vs).

Each family plays different functions in cells. For example, Na_Vs contribute to the generation of neuronal action potentials, and K_Vs mainly control neuronal excitability and participate in solute transport. Notably, various voltage-gated ion channel functions share common characteristics, including high ion selectivity, the fact that the transition of the channel between various states is a fast process on the millisecond scale, and the ion conductance dynamics of the channel are highly voltage-dependent. Analyzing the functional characteristics of voltage-gated ion channels at the high-resolution structural level of channel proteins contributes to a clear understanding of the molecular basis of electrical excitability.

Fig. 1 General architecture of a voltage-gated ion channel. (Börjesson, 2008)

Our Services

Creative Bioarray is committed to combining multiple technologies in the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, physiology, and structural biology to help clients elucidate the structure and function of voltage-gated ion channels, providing useful information for in-depth study of the molecular mechanism of bioelectric excitability. We provide the following services to meet the extensive scientific research needs of our clients, including identifying the structural elements required for voltage-dependent activation, selective ionic conductivity, and deactivation, as well as functional analysis to explore their mechanism of action.

• Structural Characterization of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels
• Structural Characterization of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
• Structural Characterization of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels
• Functional Characterization of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels
• Functional Characterization of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
• Functional Characterization of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels
• Characterization of Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Ion Channels
• Kinetic Modeling of Voltage-Gated Channels
• Thermodynamic Analysis of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels
• Thermodynamic Analysis of Electromechanical Coupling
• Local Electric Field Measurements of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels
• Surface Dynamics Analysis of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels

Advantages

• High standard laboratory and advanced equipment
• The world's leading ion channel structure analysis platform
• Experienced and professional research team
• Flexible solutions

As a leading company in the field of ion channels, Creative Bioarray provides clients around the world with structural and functional analysis services of voltage-gated ion channels. With more than 8 years of experience in the field of electrophysiology, we are willing to provide our clients with the best service. If you need our technical support and scientific services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Börjesson, S. I.; Elinder, F. Structure, function, and modification of the voltage sensor in voltage-gated ion channels. Cell biochemistry and biophysics, 2008, 52(3): 149-174.