How Ligand-Gated Ion Channels Work

Ligand-gated ion channels are membrane proteins that open when a chemical signal binds to them. They have a channel for ions to pass through and a ligand-binding site. When the ligand attaches, the channel opens and ions can move across the cell membrane.

These channels are grouped into three sub...

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open in response to a chemical messenger like a neurotransmitter, ion, or nucleotide, generally called a ligand.

These channels contain a receptor domain for the ligand to bind and a transmembrane pore for the ions to pass through.

Generally, the channel remains closed when ...