Ionchannel
An ion channel is a pore-forming transmembrane protein that allows ions to pass through a cell membrane. Ion channels enable selective flow of ions such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride, typically down their electrochemical gradient, and are central to electrical signaling, osmoregulation, and secretion.
Most ion channels are gated, meaning they open or close in response to stimuli. The main gate
Structurally, ion channels vary. Potassium channels are often tetramers with a selective filter that favors K+
Physiological roles include generation and propagation of action potentials in neurons and muscle cells, synaptic transmission,
Mutations or dysfunction of ion channels cause channelopathies, including epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmias, cystic fibrosis, and certain
Research methods like patch-clamp recording and structural techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy have advanced understanding of