About this Research Topic
The plasma membrane transport of monovalent ions – such as Na+, K+, and Cl- – sets and modulates transmembrane potential and cellular excitability, and fuels the secondary active accumulation of nutrients. Additionally, monovalent ion transporters and channels can impact cellular functions via activation of intracellular signaling processes. Traditionally, the “signaling” properties of monovalent ion transporters and channels have been ascribed to their indirect effects on intracellular Ca2+ levels.
However, emerging studies in the field point to many “atypical” roles for these membrane proteins and their roles in influencing cellular functions. The newly discovered signaling mechanisms include activation and modulation of cytosolic monovalent ion-sensing proteins and enzymes (e.g., Na+-sensitive GPCRs and the Cl--sensitive protein kinases from WNK family), formation of membrane scaffolds for intracellular signaling proteins, Ca2+-independent changes in gene expression, and initiation of atypical forms of cell death. The rapidly accumulating evidence for the signaling role of monovalent ions adds to and evolves our understanding of information transfer within and between animal cells.
This Research Topic is specifically interested in original communications, perspectives, commentaries, and reviews.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.