# MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ION CHANNEL FUNCTIONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 1987 · $27,123

## Abstract

Selective membrane permeability changes to small ions from an integral part
of physiologically important cell functions such as the generation of
electrical impulses in nerve and muscle cells, the release of
neurotransmitters and hormones, sensory transduction, epithelial transport,
and the activation of immune responses.  The molecular mechanisms by which
the ion channels underlying these essential cell activities generate
regulated and selective changes in cell membrane permeability are not well
understood.  The goal of the proposed research is to characterize the
influences of particular structural features and membrane interactions on
the ion channels involved in actions potential generation (Na and K
channels) and neuromuscular transmission (AChR channels).

The permeation of ions through Na and K channels is regulated by the
transmembrane voltage through interaction of the membrane potential with
charged groups or dipoles of the channels.  Experiments in this proposal
will use single channel and multichannel electophysiological techniques to
investigate how specific chemical modifications of charged groups influence
channel activation and permeability properties at the molecular level.
Specific chemical modifications will also be used to investigate the role
of charged groups and disulfide bonds in determining the conductance
properties of single AChR channels.

Intramembranous proteins like ion channels are known to be affected by
their membrane environment.  Experiments in this proposal will examine how
the properties of AChR channels are influenced by other membrane
components.  The experiments will study the electrical properties of
purified AChR channels reconstituted into membrane vesicles of defined
composition.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3156951
- **Project number:** 5R01AR034766-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TX2DAGQPENZ5
- **Principal Investigator:** PAMELA A PAPPONE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $27,123
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-12-01 → 1989-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3156951

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3156951, MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ION CHANNEL FUNCTIONS (5R01AR034766-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3156951. Licensed CC0.

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