Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that contain pathways through which ions can flow. By shifting between closed and open conformational states (‘gating’ process), they control passive ion flow through the plasma membrane. Channels can be gated by membrane potential, or specific...

Plastic expression of different integrin subunits controls the different stages of neural development, whereas in the adult integrins regulate synaptic stability. Evidence of integrin‑channel crosstalk exists for ionotropic glutamate receptors. As is often the case in other tissues, integrin...

A role for integrins in mechanotransduction has been suggested because these molecules form an important mechanical link between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cytoskeleton. An example of mechanotransduction in blood vessels is the myogenic response—the rapid and maintained constriction...

Cancer is a complex multistep disease characterized by a profound genetic instability which leads to the aberrant and uncoordinated expression of several gene products, ultimately leading to the acquisition of a malignant phenotype. The identification of molecules and pathways that contribute to...

Physical and functional link between cell adhesion molecules and ion channels provide a rapid connection between extracellular environment and cell physiology. Growing evidence does show that frequent cross‑talk occurs between these classes of membrane proteins. These interactions are being...

Forster (or Fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a physical process in which energy is transformed nonradiatively from an excited fluorophore, serving as a donor, to another chromophore (acceptor). Among the techniques related to fluorescence microscopy, FRET is unique in providing...

Protein‑protein interactions between integrins and ion channels consist in a complicated bidirectional talk, not yet understood in detail, which triggers a downstream signaling network. Such a coordinated process occurs in discrete, localized microcompartments and involves different membrane...

Integrin‑mediated adhesion of monocytes not only triggers cell rolling and diapedesis, it also activates ionic permeability changes resulting in monocyte activation, maturation and differentiation. Mononuclear phagocytes possess voltage‑dependent inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) currents and...

Integrin signalling has a critical function in organizing cells in tissues during both embryonic development and tissue repair. Following their binding to the extracellular ligands, the intracellular signalling pathways triggered by integrins are directed to two major functions: organization of...

Cell migration is necessary for proper embryonic development and adult tissue remodeling. Its mechanisms determine the physiopathology of processes such as neuronal targeting, inflammation, wound healing and metastatic spread. Crawling of cells onto solid surfaces requires a controlled sequence...