Inward rectifying channels as new targets for treatment

Physiological Roles of Inward-Rectifying K+ Channels.

Inward-rectifying potassium channels in retinal glial (Müller) cells.

The voltage- and K(+)-dependent properties of Müller cell currents and channels were characterized in freshly dissociated salamander Müller cells. In whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments, cells with endfeet intact and cells missing endfeet both displayed strong inward rectification. The rectification was similar in shape in both groups of cells but currents were 9.2 times larger in cells with e...

Inward-rectifying K+ channels in guard cells provide a mechanism for low-affinity K+ uptake.

The molecular mechanisms by which higher plant cells take up K+ across the plasma membrane (plasmalemma) remain unknown. Physiological transport studies in a large number of higher plant cell types, including guard cells, have suggested that at least two distinct types of K(+)-uptake mechanisms exist, permitting low-affinity and high-affinity K+ accumulation, respectively. Recent patch clamp st...

Ion channels as targets for treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders.

the relative lack of current drugs targeting ion channels suggests that there are also disadvantages to targeting ion channels. This is indeed the case. Disadvantages include: 1. Most ion channels are expressed in more than one cell type decreasing the ability to target organs 2. Given their critical role in cellular homeostasis, modulation can have significant side effects 3. A specific disadv...

Investigating Meningeal Ion Channels as New Molecular Targets for Migraine

As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Xiaomei Wei entitled " Investigating meningeal ion channels as new molecular targets for migraine " and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candida...