Ion Channel News and Research

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Mutations linked to intellectual disability, epileptic seizures affect ion channel's function

Two mutations identified in individuals with developmental and epileptic brain disease can be traced back to the same ion channel.

18 Jun 2020

Genetic marker may predispose African Americans to cardiac complications from COVID-19

Nearly one out of every 10 African Americans has a genetic variant that puts them inherently at an increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

15 Jun 2020

Chemotherapy and cancer join together to cause neuropathy

Contrary to common medical guidance, chemotherapy does not appear to be the only culprit in neuropathy, a neurological side effect of cancer treatment, a new study says. Cancer itself contributes heavily, too, and the stresses on neurons appear far worse than the sum of the two causes.

8 Jun 2020

Tanycytes in the brain play an active role in increasing appetite

Tanycytes are glial cells, which communicate with neurons in the brain to inform it of what we have eaten. Researchers from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick have found when tanycytes are selectively stimulated appetite was increased.

8 Jun 2020

JGU professor wins Exploration Grant for research into membrane proteins of parasites

So-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause great suffering in some of the world's poorest countries and can lead also to significant economic losses due to, for example, the infestation of animal herds.

4 Jun 2020

Breakthrough discovery could lead to treatment of Fragile X syndrome

Scientists at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, and Owerko Centre at UCalgary's Cumming School of Medicine have made a breakthrough discovery that could lead to treatment of Fragile X syndrome, the leading genetic cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

2 Jun 2020

Frog brain discovery may pave the way for repairing birth defects in humans

A team of researchers from Tufts University, Universitat de Valencia, and Harvard University has discovered that the brains of developing frog embryos damaged by nicotine exposure can be repaired by using “ionoceuticals” that can help in the recovery of bioelectric patterns in the embryo.

28 May 2020

Research identifies a disease trigger for pancreatitis

One factor contributing to the development of pancreatitis lies in mutations within a cell membrane ion channel that is characterized by its specific permeability for calcium ions.

13 May 2020

Study: Unique glucose-sensing neurons in the brain prevent severe hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia, can be a life-threatening situation, especially for people with type 1 diabetes who rely on intensive insulin therapy to prevent blood sugar from going too high.

4 May 2020

UTSW researchers uncover shape of key protein involved in muscle contraction

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered the detailed shape of a key protein involved in muscle contraction. The report, published today in Neuron, may lead to improved understanding of muscle-weakening genetic conditions called congenital myasthenic syndromes.

12 Apr 2020

Metrion Biosciences and International Scientific Consortium publish data and new recommendations for in vitro risk assessment of the cardiac safety of new medicines

Metrion today announced it has contributed to two new peer-reviewed papers under the U.S. FDA CiPA (Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay) initiative.

From Metrion Biosciences Limited 7 Apr 2020

Study provides insights into pain signaling mechanism in the brain

Fast communication between our brain cells - or neurotransmission as it is called - is hugely important for our brain to work properly. Some of the messengers involved in this form of communication are neuropeptides, which are chemicals produced in the brain.

31 Mar 2020

Research shows how stress restructures the brain

Stress restructures the brain by halting the production of crucial ion channel proteins, according to research in mice recently published in JNeurosci.

25 Mar 2020

Cryo-electron microscopy helps visualize ball-and-chain inactivation of ion channels

Ion channels, which allow potassium and sodium ions to flow in and out of cells, are crucial in neuronal 'firing' in the central nervous system and for brain and heart function.

19 Mar 2020

A previously unknown mechanism could be new therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at UC have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that could explain the reason behind decreased immune function in cancer patients and could be a new therapeutic target for immunotherapy for those with head and neck cancers.

10 Mar 2020

A highly conserved protein contributes to sensing mechanical pain, study shows

Researchers at McGill University have discovered that a protein found in the membrane of our sensory neurons are involved in our capacity to feel mechanical pain, laying the foundation for the development of powerful new analgesic drugs.

24 Feb 2020

Unveiling the structure of the influenza virus

The flu season is coming, and the frigid temperatures make it worse. The influenza B virus is the causative agent of the common flu, but over the past years, it has become more potent in causing disease. Now, a team of MIT scientists has found and unveiled the structure of the virus, particularly the key influenza protein, in the hopes to develop new drugs to combat influenza.

4 Feb 2020

Integral Molecular announces panel of P2X7 antibodies for autoimmune disorders

Integral Molecular, the leader in discovering antibodies against multipass membrane proteins, announces lead monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against P2X7, a structurally complex ion channel that is the target for autoimmune disorders including atopic dermatitis and glomerulonephritis.

10 Jan 2020

Atomic-level structure of cardiac sodium channel

Atomic-level studies of the architecture of tiny sodium channel proteins, critical to generating electrical signals that start off each beat of the heart, are imparting striking details about their function, malfunctions, disruption by many disease mutations, and response to medication.

20 Dec 2019