ion channel complex
Let an agent explain ion channel complexes and their structure, relay classes, gating and physiology from biochemistry references, describe the families and proteins the registry aliases name at the level of published biology, and distinguish channel complexes from transporters, pumps and single channel subunits.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain ion channel complexes and their structure, relay classes, gating and physiology from biochemistry references, describe the families and proteins the registry aliases name at the level of published biology, and distinguish channel complexes from transporters, pumps and single channel subunits.
A protein complex embedded in a membrane that forms a pore allowing ions to pass, including G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, bestrophin chloride channels, microbial rhodopsin light-driven channels and pumps, and viral and toxin proteins that form ion-conducting pores such as the SARS coronavirus Orf3a protein and the ant venom peptide ectatomin, together with protein families defined by the ion transport domain; ion channel complexes underlie nerve signalling, muscle contraction and cell homeostasis.
What it is for: Not applicable; a protein complex class.
It can be explain structure and gating; relay classes and physiology; describe named families; distinguish related proteins.
Distinguishing features
Pore formation
Selective conduction
Gated
Multi-subunit
What it looks like
Not a visible object; multi-subunit pores in membranes.
Physical character
human ion channel genes: over 400 count
conduction rate: up to millions of ions per second note
gating types: voltage, ligand, mechanical, light list
How it is recognised
Membrane protein complex forming an ion pore
GIRK channels, bestrophins, microbial rhodopsins, SARS Orf3a, ectatomin, ion transport domain families
Transporters bind and move ions; pumps use ATP; a subunit is one protein of the complex
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms, loosely
is contrasted with - which uses ATP
In practice
Families and kinds
voltage-gated channel complexes
ligand-gated channels including GIRK channels
chloride channels such as bestrophins
light-gated channels and pumps such as microbial rhodopsins
viroporins such as SARS coronavirus Orf3a
pore-forming toxins such as ectatomin
families with the ion transport domain
Identifiers
GO GO:0034702 ion channel complex
Standards and regulation
No regulation; biosafety rules for toxin and viral protein research
Failure modes and hazards
Agents providing toxin or pathogen manipulation detail
Confusing channels with transporters
Registry aliases mixing families, viral proteins and a toxin
Also called
+133
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What an ion channel complex is.
Science.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is an ion channel complex, and how does it differ from transporters, pumps and single subunits? definition
- Is the question about structure, a family, physiology or pathogen and toxin detail the model does not provide? boundary
Families
Named families.
Families
Families.
- What are GIRK channels, bestrophins, microbial rhodopsins, SARS Orf3a, ectatomin and ion transport domain families, at the level of published biology? definition
- Which entry fits the specific family? action
Biology Structure and gating.
Science.
Structure
Structure.
Structure
Structure.
- How do subunits assemble into pores, and how is selectivity achieved? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Gating
Gating.
Gating
Gating.
- How do voltage, ligands, light and mechanical force gate channels? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Physiology Physiology and medicine.
Clinical.
Roles
Roles.
Roles
Roles.
- How do ion channels drive nerve impulses, heartbeats and secretion? provenance
- Which entry fits action potential? action
Disease
Channelopathies and drugs.
Disease
Disease.
- What are channelopathies, and how do drugs target channels, in general terms? provenance
- Is the user asking about a personal condition, which needs a clinician? boundary
Context Methods and history.
Context.
Methods
Methods.
Methods
Methods.
- How are channels studied by patch clamp, cryo-EM and optogenetics? provenance
- Which entry fits patch clamp? action
History
History.
History
History.
- How were ion channels discovered, from Hodgkin and Huxley to MacKinnon? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of neuroscience? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should GIRK channel, bestrophin and viroporin be separate primary entries?
- How should biochemistry references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming families, a viral protein and a toxin; should they be split off?