Decoding Ion Channels: From Biophysics to Cellular Function and Pharmacology

Ion transport through the plasma membrane is crucial for cell function. Several cellular processes, including the modulation of membrane potential, electrochemical homeostasis, pH regulation, triggering of action potentials, volume regulation, and signaling, fundamentally depend on the exchange of ions through the membrane.

Among various ion exchange mechanisms, ion channels are the most efficient, exhibiting output rates of >10 6 · s -1 and high selectivity. Regulated by different factors, these macromolecular pores open and close their gates, allowing ion conduction along the electrochemical gradient without further energy expenses for the cell. Ion channels are ubiquitous in living organisms, from unicellular to more complex life forms such as plants
and animals. They exhibit various characteristics, including distinct families and subfamilies, diverse subunit assemblances, precise conduction mechanisms, specialized gating and inhibition processes.

Recent advances in patch clamp electrophysiology, protein engineering, fluorometry, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and molecular and quantum dynamic simulations, among other techniques, have significantly enhanced our understanding of these crucial proteins since the first experiments of Hodgkin and Huxley in the early 1950s. Understanding the biophysics of these channels is essential for gaining insights into their cellular function, the nature of diseases associated with their malfunction (channelopathies), and the design of targeted drugs.

This Research Topic aims to collect original research papers, reviews, and commentaries focused on the structure-function relationships and other biophysical properties of ion channels. This Research Topic intends to contribute to the scientific community by presenting a series of studies that elucidate the underlying mechanisms regulating the molecular machinery of ion channels, covering topics from basic biophysics to physiological function and applications.

Scope and information for Authors:

In this Research Topic we invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

· Selectivity mechanism and ion permeability.

· Structure-function studies of blockers and inhibitors.

· Voltage- and ligand-dependent gating.

· Structure-function of novel ion channels.

· Pharmacology studies.

· Applications.

· Novel quantification and characterization techniques for ion channels.

· Physiological functions.

Manuscripts can be submitted in the form of: Brief Research Report, Case Report, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, and Review.

More information on these article types can be found here: text

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: ion channels, pharmacology, cellular function, membranes

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.