Regulation of ion channels by accessory subunit and peptide toxin

Abstract

The opening and closing of pore-forming ion channels are controlled by voltage, ligand, or mechanical stimulation, allowing the flow of special ions across the cellular membrane. Ion channel accessory subunits (β subunits) normally contain one or two transmembrane helices. The β subunits can interact with the pore-forming subunit (α subunit) and modulate the membrane trafficking, conductance, dynamics, and drug sensitivity ofα subunits. Most animal venom toxins are peptides containing multiple disulfide bonds. Peptide toxins can bindto specific ion channels and then block or activate the conductance of these ion channels. Here, recent studies and prospects of ion channel conductance modulation by β-subunits and/or peptide toxins are briefly summarized.