Bubble Gating Currents in Ionic Channels

TL;DR

This paper proposes that bubbles within ion channel proteins act as bistable gates, with gating currents serving as electrical signatures of bubble formation and breaking, influencing ion flow regulation.

Contribution

It introduces the hypothesis that bubbles serve as gating mechanisms in ion channels, linking dielectric changes to electrical gating currents.

Findings

Gating currents are associated with bubble formation and breaking.

Bubbles have dielectric coefficients between 1 and 80.

Ion channels may utilize bubble dynamics for gating control.

Abstract

Bubbles in ion channel proteins have been proposed to be the bistable gates that control current flow. Gating currents associated with channel gating would then be an electrical signature of bubble breaking and formation, arising from the change in dielectric coefficient as the bubble breaks or forms. A bubble would have a dielectric coefficient of 1. A filled bubble would have a dielectric coefficient (say) between 30 and 80. Transporters, pumps, and channels would be expected to have gating currents.