Bioinformatics Analysis of Ion Channels

Ion channels are essential for the proper functioning of cells and entire organisms. For many years, techniques in the field of biology, biochemistry, physiology, and biophysics have been used to study various structural and functional aspects of ion channels. However, difficulties in the experimental study of channels have resulted in a very low percentage of high-resolution structures available in the database, resulting in the elucidation of membrane protein structure and function remaining challenging.

The lack of structural information is the reason for the widespread use of bioinformatics methods and tools to explore ion channels. Computer research provides valuable support for acquiring scarce information and new knowledge. Bioinformatics can not only support the high-resolution prediction of ion channel protein structures but also help in predicting ion selectivity mechanisms, potential ligand binding, and gating mechanisms. Access to this information may help uncover disease mechanisms associated with inappropriate ion transports and indicate potential therapeutic approaches.

Fig. 1 Results of the ion-binding state analysis by means of IBiSA_tools. (Kasahara, 2016)

Our Services

Researchers at Creative Bioarray have accumulated extensive experience over the years in applying various tools and methods in bioinformatic modeling of ion channel structure and function in membrane protein research. We are dedicated to helping clients model unknown protein structures, functions, transmembrane localization, and ligand binding. Furthermore, we use a variety of in silico methods specific to transmembrane proteins to provide our clients with high-quality data analysis. Our services include but not limited to:

• Prediction of Ion Channels Genes and Types
  We are committed to developing a range of machine learning algorithms to help clients accurately predict and classify ion channels, providing important information in understanding ion channel gene mutations and their association with classified diseases.
• Prediction of Ion Channel Structures and Functions
  We focus on the development of calculation methods for single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and ion channel function analysis to help our clients realize the prediction of ion channel structure and function.
• Prediction of Ion Channel Allosteric Sites
  We help clients predict the potential binding sites and allosteric sites of ion channels using a variety of computational methods, accelerating the development of drugs targeting channel proteins.
• Molecular Mechanical Modeling of Ion Channels
  We focus on the latest development of molecular dynamics (MD) force fields related to ion channel functions to provide clients with molecular mechanics modeling services for ion channels.
• Simulation of Ion Permeation and Selectivity
  We provide clients with a variety of simulation methods to simulate ion channel permeability and selectivity, especially voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_v) channels.

Advantages

Creative Bioarray has an excellent research team composed of researchers with different biological backgrounds to provide clients with professional ion channel bioinformatics analysis services, accelerating the research and drug development of diseases related to ion channel dysfunction. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Kasahara, K.; Kinoshita, K. IBiSA_Tools: a computational toolkit for ion-binding state analysis in molecular dynamics trajectories of ion channels. Plos one, 2016, 11(12): e0167524.