Functional Reconstitution of Ion Channels

Creative Bioarray is committed to providing clients with the functional reconstitution of ion channels through multiple technologies, such as planar lipid bilayer (PLB) technology and nanodisc technology, providing key information on ion channel dynamics, gating mechanisms, ion selectivity, etc.

Background

Over the past years, advances in electrophysiological techniques have greatly accelerated the understanding of ion channel identity and function. However, some ion channels present in intracellular membrane systems and organelles cannot be studied with conventional electrophysiological methods for biochemical or structural characterization. Reconstructing ion channels into planar lipid bilayers offers advantages for determining some of the more abstruse aspects of channel functions.

PLB technology allows complete control of both the lipid composition of the membrane into which the channels are incorporated and the ionic environment at both sides of the membrane. This uniquely controllable environment makes it possible to characterize channel function in a nonphysiological ionic environment. Moreover, this technique facilitates the study of the direct modulation of various inorganic ions, organic molecules, cofactors, or modifiers on the channel, providing details for understanding the gating mechanism of ion channels.

Fig. 1 Schematic representation of planar lipid bilayer technique. (Zakharian, 2021)

Our Services

We are committed to providing clients with ion channel reconstitution in lipid bilayers. Moreover, our research team has made more efforts in recent years to improve this classical method to produce a miniaturized version with improved mechanical stability and higher time resolution. For example, we established a technical variant of the classical method, which allows the formation of asymmetrical bilayers, which helps to stimulate the asymmetry of the natural plasma membrane in vivo without losing control over the precise composition of the bilayer for channel measurements. In conclusion, based on our planar lipid bilayer technology and its multiple variants, we can help clients precisely identify chemical and physical factors essential for channel activity. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Exploration of specific lipids that directly affect the channel function and analysis of regulatory lipids roles.
• Exploration of intrinsic temperature sensitivity.
• Identification of direct channel agonists and antagonists.
• Development of different kinds of bilayer systems for functional reconstitution.

Applications

• Research on the structure/function correlation of ion channels
• Research on the specific channel regulatory mechanisms
• Study on the ion channel kinetics at the single molecular level

Creative Bioarray is dedicated to helping clients obtain clear details about the gating mechanism of ion channels and identify their specific regulatory molecules or components through functional reconstitution of ion channels. Our innovative research team strives to continually develop and optimize strategies to meet your unique scientific needs. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Zakharian, E. Ion channel reconstitution in lipid bilayers//Methods in Enzymology. Academic Press, 2021, 652: 273-291.