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Ion Channel

All articles tagged with #ion channel

science-and-technology2 years ago•5 min saved

"Unveiling the Unexpected: A Major Immune Regulator Takes on a Surprising New Role"

Researchers from MIT and Harvard Medical School have discovered a surprising new function of the immune system protein STING. They found that STING can act as an ion channel, allowing protons to leak out of the Golgi body, an organelle within cells. This makes STING the first human immune sensor that can translate danger signals into ion flow. The discovery sheds light on how STING activates autophagy and inflammasome formation, two critical defense mechanisms. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of new therapeutics to modulate STING and treat various diseases.

via MIT News|

#golgi-body #immune-system #ion-channel

science-and-technology2 years ago•5 min saved

Decoding the Structure of Ion Channels Solves Decades-Old Eye Mystery.

Researchers have used cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectrometry to decipher the structure of an ion channel in the eye as it interacts with the protein calmodulin, a puzzle that has stumped scientists for 30 years. This interaction could explain how our eyes can achieve such remarkable sensitivity to dim light. The researchers believe that this is nature’s way of holding the channels closed to reduce spontaneous channel openings that would cause background noise so that our eyes can be sensitive to dim light. Calmodulin regulates ion channels not only in the eye but throughout the body, controlling electrical signals that are essential to the correct functioning of diverse muscles and organs.

via SciTechDaily|

#calmodulin #cryo-electron-microscopy #eye