Surface Dynamics Analysis of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels

Creative Bioarray is committed to combining various technologies in the field of biology to provide clients with surface dynamics analysis services of voltage-gated ion channels. We offer our clients detailed surface dynamics data about sodium, calcium, and potassium channels, providing important information for analyzing the functional significance of mobile ion channels to neural networks.

Introduction

Neurons encode information in the rapid change of membrane potential, which largely depends on the ion channels embedded in the membrane, and is very important for the integration of neuronal synaptic input. The distribution of most ion channels in the membrane is not uniform in space. They participate in highly dynamic processes, such as the clustering of different channels, resulting in the composition and topology of ion channels are not static even in the millisecond range.

Most voltage-gated ion channels expressed on the surface of neurons move within the cell membranes. And the proper localization of ion channels along the neuronal membrane is tightly regulated by multiple mechanisms, which is the basis of maintaining normal neural function. It has been reported that the lateral mobility in the membrane plane affects the function and location of these channels. Therefore, studying the surface membrane dynamics of voltage-gated ion channels is helpful to study multiple aspects of the dynamic contribution of ion channels, opening new horizons for identifying the pathological mechanisms of neurological diseases at the molecular level.

Fig. 1 Dynamic calcium channel distribution in the neuronal membrane. (Red trajectories indicate highly mobile channels; black trajectories indicate confined channels) (Heine, 2016)

Our Services

With the progress we have made in super-resolution microscope technology and molecular biology technology of fluorescently labeled ion channel proteins, we have the ability to help our clients realize the visualization of endogenous channels, and provide solutions to the dynamic problems of voltage-gated ion channels in cell membranes, the contribution of molecular interactions, etc. Our services include but not limited to:

• Analysis of the dynamic organization of membrane localization and subunit composition of Na_V channels.
• Local surface distribution/dynamic analysis of sodium channels in membranes.
• Analysis of dynamic calcium channel distribution in the neuronal membrane.
• Measurement of calcium channel surface dynamics of Ca_V channels in the cell membrane.
• Analysis of the dynamic distribution of BK_Ca channels, SK_Ca channels, and SK channels.

Applications

Our surface dynamics analysis services of voltage-gated ion channels can be applied to many research.

• Study on the contribution of molecular interactions
• Research on the effects of ion channel dynamics on synaptic communication and cell excitability
• Study on the pathological mechanisms of neurological disorders

With a research team with extensive expertise in the field of ion channels, Creative Bioarray has established a variety of strategies to help our clients analyze the surface dynamics of voltage-gated ion channels. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Heine, M.; et al. Surface dynamics of voltage-gated ion channels. Channels, 2016, 10(4): 267-281.