Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that are embedded in the plasma membrane and intracellular organelle membranes, forming aqueous pores for the rapid passage of ions across the membrane. Ion channels are critical for cell physiology for their opening alters the membrane potential and local concentration of ions, including calcium ions, an essential second messenger for cell signaling. The activity of ion channels is controlled by different factors such as membrane potential, ligand binding, pH, temperature, mechanical force, etc. Ion channels enable cells to sense and respond to extracellular and intracellular stimuli and are of great significance for the realization of various cellular functions. In recent years, more and more studies have found that ion channels are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases, including cancer. Collectively, these diseases that develop due to defects in ion channels are called channelopathies.
What diseases are caused by the dysfunction of ion channels in different organ systems? What is the normal physiological function of ion channels in these organ systems? What defects in ion channels cause or accelerate diseases? How do the defects affect the function of the ion channels? Do they cause gain-of-function, loss-of-function, altered cellular localization, a decrease in stability, changes in physiological properties, altered modification and regulation by other associated proteins, etc? What are the molecular mechanisms for these effects? Whether the ion channel-related diseases can be alleviated or even cured with drugs or other treatments? Researchers can elucidate the relationship between ion channels and diseases through genetics, bioinformatics, electrophysiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural studies, to explain the pathological mechanism of channelopathies.
Ion channels are membrane proteins that act as gated pathways for the movement of ions across cell membranes, which plays essential roles in the physiology of all cells. In recent years, an ever-increasing number of human and animal diseases, called channelopathies, have been found to result from defects in ion channel functions. Therefore, to enhance the understanding of the participation of ion channels in human diseases and improve therapeutics against channelopathies, it is necessary to study ion channel functions with a broad perspective.
In this Research Topic, original studies on all aspects of ion channels and channelopathies are welcome, with a particular emphasis on analyses of ion channel function and regulation and the mechanism by which defects in ion channels lead to diseases. High-quality reviews on ion channels and channelopathies are also welcome.
Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that are embedded in the plasma membrane and intracellular organelle membranes, forming aqueous pores for the rapid passage of ions across the membrane. Ion channels are critical for cell physiology for their opening alters the membrane potential and local concentration of ions, including calcium ions, an essential second messenger for cell signaling. The activity of ion channels is controlled by different factors such as membrane potential, ligand binding, pH, temperature, mechanical force, etc. Ion channels enable cells to sense and respond to extracellular and intracellular stimuli and are of great significance for the realization of various cellular functions. In recent years, more and more studies have found that ion channels are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases, including cancer. Collectively, these diseases that develop due to defects in ion channels are called channelopathies.
What diseases are caused by the dysfunction of ion channels in different organ systems? What is the normal physiological function of ion channels in these organ systems? What defects in ion channels cause or accelerate diseases? How do the defects affect the function of the ion channels? Do they cause gain-of-function, loss-of-function, altered cellular localization, a decrease in stability, changes in physiological properties, altered modification and regulation by other associated proteins, etc? What are the molecular mechanisms for these effects? Whether the ion channel-related diseases can be alleviated or even cured with drugs or other treatments? Researchers can elucidate the relationship between ion channels and diseases through genetics, bioinformatics, electrophysiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural studies, to explain the pathological mechanism of channelopathies.
Ion channels are membrane proteins that act as gated pathways for the movement of ions across cell membranes, which plays essential roles in the physiology of all cells. In recent years, an ever-increasing number of human and animal diseases, called channelopathies, have been found to result from defects in ion channel functions. Therefore, to enhance the understanding of the participation of ion channels in human diseases and improve therapeutics against channelopathies, it is necessary to study ion channel functions with a broad perspective.
In this Research Topic, original studies on all aspects of ion channels and channelopathies are welcome, with a particular emphasis on analyses of ion channel function and regulation and the mechanism by which defects in ion channels lead to diseases. High-quality reviews on ion channels and channelopathies are also welcome.