Pumps Transporters And Ion Channels

This book is a compilation of articles based on some of the talks given at the Centro de Estudios Cientificos (CECS) in Valdivia during the course of a celebration to th mark the 60 birthdays of Ramon Latorre and Enrico Stefani. Ramon Latorre is one of the most outstanding figures in channel Biophysics today. The first surprise is that he trained as a Biochemist! He soon, however, became a biophysicist through his work with Guayo (Eduardo) Rojas who guided him during his Ph. D thesis in the Laboratorio de Fisiologia Celular in Montemar. His work at N.I.H with Gerald Eherenstein and Harold Lecar constitutes one of the milestones of single ion channel Biophysics. This classical work, done in planar bilayers, set the basis for understanding voltage-dependent conductances with single channel studies and predates, by many years, later studies using patch clamping techniques. Ramon was one of the firsts to find and recognize the importance of calci- activated potassium channels and to begin a detailed study of channel properties. He pioneered the ideas of voltage and calcium modulation of the open probability and he added detailed studies of gating and its modulation by other ions. Ramon is also interested in permeation and selectivity and he produced classical studies on the number of water molecules in the channel and sites occupied by barium. Results and concepts that have recently taken front page as the structure of KcSa has been described.

An introduction to the principles of membrane transport: How molecules and ions move across the cell membrane by simple diffusion and by making use of specialized membrane components (channels, carriers, and pumps). The text emphasizes the quantitative aspects of such movement and its interpretation in terms of transport kinetics. Molecular studies of channels, carriers, and pumps are described in detail as well as structural principles and the fundamental similarities between the various transporters and their evolutionary interrelationships. The regulation of transporters and their role in health and disease are also considered. Provides an introduction to the properties of transport proteins: channels, carriers, and pumps Presents up-to-date information on the structure of transport proteins and on their function and regulation Includes introductions to transport kinetics and to the cloning of genes that code transport proteins Furnishes a link between the experimental basis of the subject and theoretical model building

Describes experimental methods for investigating the function of pumps, channels and transporters Covers new emerging analytical methods used to study ion transport membrane proteins such as single-molecule spectroscopy Details a wide range of electrophysiological techniques and spectroscopic methods used to analyze the function of ion channels, ion pumps and transporters Covers state-of-the art analytical methods to study ion pumps, channels, and transporters, and where analytical chemistry can make further contributions

This book, now in a thoroughly revised second edition, offers a comprehensive review of the rapidly growing field of optogenetics, in which light-sensing proteins are genetically engineered into cells in order to acquire information on cellular physiology in optical form or to enable control of specific network in the brain upon activation by light. Light-sensing proteins of various living organisms are now available to be exogenously expressed in neurons and other target cells both in vivo and in vitro. Cellular functions can thus be manipulated or probed by light. The new edition documents fully the extensive progress since publication of the first edition to provide an up-to-date overview of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of light-sensing proteins and their application in biological systems, particularly in neuroscience but also in medicine and the optical sciences. Underlying principles are explained and detailed information provided on a wide range of optogenetic tools for the observation and control of cellular signaling and physiology, gene targeting technologies, and optical methods for biological applications. In presenting the current status of optogenetics and emerging directions, this milestone publication will be a “must read” for all involved in research in any way related to optogenetics.

Ion transporters are membrane proteins that allow the passage of ions or charged small molecules through the lipid membrane. They are present in every cell of every organism. The group of ion transporters comprises different types of ion pumps, ion exchangers, and ion channels. This book focuses mostly on ion channels, which represent the biggest subset of ion transporters. Ion transporters, especially ion channels, are of imminent interest in the field of life sciences with possible therapeutic outcomes. Each piece of knowledge that can help us understand their role and function is worth noticing. This book provides a comprehensive overview of ion channels, including their diversity and functions in physiology and pathophysiology.

This textbook provides an introduction to dynamic modeling in molecular cell biology, taking a computational and intuitive approach. Detailed illustrations, examples, and exercises are included throughout the text. Appendices containing mathematical and computational techniques are provided as a reference tool.

Ion Transport is a collection of papers from the Smith Kline & French Research "Symposium on Ion Transport" held in Cambridge, on April 12-14, 1989. These papers focus on the plasma membrane, particularly on the three main classes of transporters, namely, pumps, exchangers, and channels. Some papers discuss the different experimental approaches from electrophysiological and ion flux measurements through pharmacology, molecular biology, electrostatics, and computer modeling. Other papers discuss the P-type cation pump, a class of ATP-driven ion pumps, which is determined from its subunit composition and from the results of the hydrolysis of ATP. Several papers explain the techniques used in ion channels and their modulation. These techniques can be used in the voltage-gated Na+ channel or in permeation mechanisms. Other papers examine the transport proteins involved in the physiology of ion transport. Ions and fluid transport relate to, at the molecular level, how ions cross membranes. A minimum model, in conjunction with theoretical perspective, can describe the mechanism by which ions move through channels. This collection can prove beneficial for biochemists, micro-biologists, cellular researchers, and academicians involved in the study of cellular biology or biophysics.