Gating currents

J Gen Physiol. 2018 Jul 2;150(7):911-932. doi: 10.1085/jgp.201812090. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Abstract

Many membrane proteins sense the voltage across the membrane where they are inserted, and their function is affected by voltage changes. The voltage sensor consists of charges or dipoles that move in response to changes in the electric field, and their movement produces an electric current that has been called gating current. In the case of voltage-gated ion channels, the kinetic and steady-state properties of the gating charges provide information of conformational changes between closed states that are not visible when observing ionic currents only. In this Journal of General Physiology Milestone, the basic principles of voltage sensing and gating currents are presented, followed by a historical description of the recording of gating currents. The results of gating current recordings are then discussed in the context of structural changes in voltage-dependent membrane proteins and how these studies have provided new insights on gating mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating*
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / metabolism*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / metabolism*

Substances

  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels