GeneMedi's Ion Channel portfolio for drug discovery and mechanism of action (MOA) research.

GeneMedi’s portfolio of Ion Channels contains a vast number of highly selective ligands and agonists/antagonists that will be useful for target validation and discovery of new drugs. Ion channels are proteins that are embedded in the cell membrane and are involved in the movement of ions across the membrane; they are essential for controlling various biological processes including the transmission of signals, the excitability of neurons and muscle contraction. As a result, they have been recognized as being of great interest for drug discovery in the pharmaceutical company. According to their selectivity for specific ions and the manner in which they are regulated, ion channels can be categorised into three basic groups, namely the voltage-gated ion channels, the ligand-gated ion channels, and the mechanically-gated ion channels. Every category is still divided into several essential proteins that have different functions and uses in treatments. For instance, sodium channels, potassium channels and calcium channels which are involved in the regulation of neuronal excitability and muscle contraction are all voltage gated channels. Among others, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, serotonin receptors, and glutamate receptors are members of the ligand-gated ion channels, which are involved in neurotransmission, pain control, and memory and learning. Mechanically-gated ion channels include for example, stretch-activated channels involved in maintaining cell volume through changes in osmotic pressure. The identification as well as the targeting of particular ion channels together with their linked signaling pathways has led to the generation of many diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These channels are involved in the pathology of epilepsy, arrhythmia, and neuropathic pain. Hence, they are ideal candidates for drug development. Many drugs such as calcium channel blockers, potassium channel activators and sodium channel blockers have been approved for the treatment of different diseases and all of them are against ion channels. Ion channels are also employed in the diagnosis of diseases such as cystic fibrosis and long QT syndrome since the malregulated ion channels underlie the development and progression of the diseases.

All in all, ion channels are a promising target for drug discovery and development and are considered an important class of therapeutic targets. Due to the many pathways and functions they control, they are important in diagnostics and therapeutics and the classification and identification provides a potential for precision medicine and targeted treatments.

At GeneMedi, we offer tested and tried Ion Channels antibodies for a range of research use such as mechanisms of action (MOA), ELISA, Affinity binding assays, and drug discovery. The quality and reproducibility of our pre-made mAbs are a result of expression in mammalian cell lines. These mAbs are used in cell culture, assay development, animal model development, PK/PD model development, and MOA research in biological drug discovery as reference therapeutic antibodies.

Q&A

Q1. What products does GeneMedi offer in the Ion Channel portfolio?
A1: Gene Medis Ion Channel product line consist of selective ligands as well as agonist/antagonist for ion channels used in drug discovery and validation of targets.

Q2. What are ion channels?
A2: Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a role in controlling a number of cellular functions including signalling, muscle contraction and neuronal discharge.

Q3. There are two main classifications of ion channels.
A3: Ion channels have three classifications based on their selectivity for particular ions and structural properties: There are voltage-gated, ligand-gated and mechanically-gated ion channels.

Q4. What make ion channel good target for drug development?
A4: Ion channels can be involved in the generation and advancement of diseases including epilepsy, arrhythmia, and neuropathic pain, thus can be potential drug targets.

Q5. GeneMedi offers Ion Channels for the following research applications:
GeneMedi offers antibodies for research applications in Ion Channels such as ELISA, drug screening, MOA research and affinity binding assays.