Ion –gated Channels

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 Differentiate between the opening of a ligand–gated ion channel and a

voltage-sensitive channel.

Different mechanisms of action potential depend on chemical stimulation and

changes in membrane electrical potential to open the ion channels. Ligand and voltage-

gated ion channels are the two main types of ion channels. These different ion channels

play the most significant role in the neurotransmission of the nervous system. Ligand-

gated ion channels respond to chemical signals, unlike voltage-sensitive channels in

voltage–gated ion channels. Ligand-gated ion channels depend on the activation process

by the bindings of neurotransmitters. Ligand–gated ion channels open when a ligand – a

chemical transmitter- binds to a protein. Voltage-gated channels are ion-selective; ligand

ligand-gated ion channels are not selective. For example, voltage-gated ion channels are

particular to sodium, potassium, and calcium channels. Examples of non-selective ligand-

gated ion channels are acetylcholine receptors—y-amino butyric acid A and receptors for

glutamate aspartate and glycine.

Moreover, ligand-gated channels differ from voltage-gated ion channels

functionally, such that voltage-gated channels are responsible for generating and

propagating action potential in excitable neurons and muscle cells. However, ligand-

gated ion channels are located on the secretion sites for hormones and muscles to trigger

associated responses. Morachevskaya & Sudarikova (2021) assessed the voltage and

ligand-gated ion channel mechanisms to determine their effects and application for

pharmacological applications. The study majorly focused on Actin dynamics as a critical

ion channel regulator and how such ion mechanisms and dynamics could influence the
effectiveness of antidepressant medication. Based on the understanding of ligand binding

agents with receptors to produce a response, means of agonists, antagonists, partial

agonists, and full agonists inform pharmaceutical interventions to provide pharmaceutical

solutions to psychological and mental health problems and problems relating to CNS and

neuromuscular coordination (Morachevskaya & Sudarikova, 2021).

 Reference

Morachevskaya, E. A., & Sudarikova, A. V. (2021). Actin dynamics as critical ion

channel regulator: ENaC and Piezo in focus. American Journal of Physiology-

Cell Physiology, 320(5), C696-C702.