About this Research Topic
Ion channels are macromolecular pores that control ion flux through the cell membrane and consequently the intracellular ion balance. The pore opens in response to mechanical, chemical, or electrical stimuli. Subsequently, ion channels allow ions to flow into or out of the cell. Ion channels can be classified into 3 main families; voltage-gated ion channels, which respond to a change in cell membrane potential and are highly selective for specific ions such Na+, K+, Ca2+ or Cl; ligand-gated ion channels, which respond to specific neurotransmitters and other molecules; and the chemical-gated ion channels, which respond to changes in the mechanical force on the membrane.
Ion channels are essential for life as they play a fundamental role in neuronal signaling, muscle contraction, and even nutrient transport. Moreover, they are responsible for maintaining membrane potential, and homeostasis, producing electrical signals, and controlling the flow of Ca2+ through the membrane.
Channelopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders that result from the dysfunction of ion channels located in the membranes of all cells and many cellular organelles. The most common cause of channelopathies is mutations in genes that encode ion channels, which impair their proper function. Consistent with the distribution of ion channels throughout the human body, ion channel defects have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases, including epilepsy, migraine, blindness, deafness, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.
Given the fundamental role of ion channels in neuronal signaling, channelopathies can be found in a large and growing number of nervous system disorders. Among these disorders, there are several muscle disorders, such as myotonia or flaccid paralysis, and several neurodegenerative disorders in which the role of ion channels seems to be important, such as Alzheimer's Disease, or Parkinson's Disease.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight the importance of the ion channels in maintaining the electrochemical potential of the cell membrane, with a particular focusing on their role in the Nervous System. Additionally, we aim to explore the consequences of ion channel malfunctions in various nervous system disorders.
Ion channels are essential for life as they play a fundamental role in neuronal signaling, muscle contraction, and even nutrient transport. Moreover, they are responsible for maintaining membrane potential, and homeostasis, producing electrical signals, and controlling the flow of Ca2+ through the membrane.
Channelopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders that result from the dysfunction of ion channels located in the membranes of all cells and many cellular organelles. The most common cause of channelopathies is mutations in genes that encode ion channels, which impair their proper function. Consistent with the distribution of ion channels throughout the human body, ion channel defects have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases, including epilepsy, migraine, blindness, deafness, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.
Given the fundamental role of ion channels in neuronal signaling, channelopathies can be found in a large and growing number of nervous system disorders. Among these disorders, there are several muscle disorders, such as myotonia or flaccid paralysis, and several neurodegenerative disorders in which the role of ion channels seems to be important, such as Alzheimer's Disease, or Parkinson's Disease.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight the importance of the ion channels in maintaining the electrochemical potential of the cell membrane, with a particular focusing on their role in the Nervous System. Additionally, we aim to explore the consequences of ion channel malfunctions in various nervous system disorders.
Keywords: ion channels, Channelopathies, neuronal signals, muscle disorders, neurodegeneration
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