Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Related Research Reagents
Ligand-gated ion channels (LICs, LGIC), also commonly referred to as ionotropic receptors, are a group of transmembrane ion channel proteins allowing ions to pass through the membrane in response to the binding of a chemical messenger (i.e. a ligand), such as a neurotransmitter.
Mechanism
When a presynaptic neuron is excited, it releases neurotransmitters from the vesicle to the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitter then binds to the receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. If these receptors are ligand-gated ion channels, the conformational changes that occur will open the ion channels, causing ions to flow through the cell membrane. In turn, this leads to depolarization (for excitatory receptor responses) or hyperpolarization (for suppressing responses).
Ligand-Gated Ion-channel Proteins
These receptor proteins usually consist of at least two different domains: a transmembrane domain including an ion pore and an extracellular domain including a ligand-binding site (allergic binding site). The function of this receptor located at the synapse is to directly and very quickly convert the chemical signal of the neurotransmitter released before the synapse into a post-synaptic electrical signal.
Generally, LICs are divided into three super-families that lack evolutionary relationships: cys-loop receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors and ATP-gated channels.
Super-families | Subfamilies | Class |
Cys-loop receptors | Cationic cys-loop receptors | Serotonin (5-HT); Nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR); Zinc-activated ion channel (ZAC) |
Anionic cys-loop receptors | GABAA, Glycine (GlyR) | |
Ionotropic glutamate receptors | AMPA, Kainate, NMDA | |
ATP-gated channels | P2X, PIP2 |
The research of ligand-gated ion channels requires a series of scientific research products. Creative Biolabs has been devoted to the research and development of the most advanced reagents to assist ion channel research. Our product portfolio covers a complete list of ion-channel proteins activators and blockers, monoclonal antibodies, labeled antibodies, proteins and assay kits.
Please browse the options to take a deeper look at the tools for your research needs.