Pore Architecture and ion Sites of Acid Sensing ion Channels and P2X Receptors

Architectural and functional similarities between trimeric ATP-gated P2X receptors and acid-sensing ion channels.

ATP-gated P2X receptors and acid-sensing ion channels are two distinct ligand-gated ion channels that assemble into trimers. They are involved in many important physiological functions such as pain sensation and are recognized as important therapeutic targets. They have unrelated primary structures and respond to different ligands (ATP and protons) and are thus considered as two different ion c...

Acid-Sensing Ion Channels

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter synthesized from choline and acetyl coenzyme A. It is localized in large reticular formation neurons, and is the chemical mediator in the synapse of a motor endplate. The electrical signal of the motor nerve terminal causes release of many packets of acetylcholine. The packets are released into the synaptic cleft, where receptors in the postjunctional membran...

Acid-Sensing Ion Channels: Structure and Function

The ASIC channels constitute a subfamily within the larger ENaC superfamily. Despite the fact that the ASICs share only about 20-25% identity with the ENaC channels they display all the characteristics of the superfamily, which are, two transmembrane spanning domains, a large extracellular domain and short intracellular N and C termini. The functional channel of the superfamily is composed of 4...

Acid-Sensing Ion Channels and Pain

Pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, ischemia, infection and tissue injury can all evoke pain, and each is accompanied by local acidosis. Acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels expressed in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Increasing evidence suggests that ASICs represent essential sensors for tissue acidosis-related pain. This review provi...

Receptors and ion channels.