Ion channels play a pivotal role in numerous physiological and pathological processes, making them attractive targets for drug discovery and development. Among these, ligand-gated ion channels are particularly significant due to their involvement in synaptic transmission and signal transduction. Creative Biolabs is proud to offer an advanced ligand-gated channel assay service, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and expertise to support therapeutic antibody and protein drug development.

Understanding Ligand-gated Channels

Ligand-gated channels are a type of ion channel found in cell membranes that open or close in response to the binding of a specific ligand (molecule), such as a neurotransmitter, hormone, or drug. These channels play a critical role in cellular communication and signal transduction, particularly in excitable cells like neurons, muscle cells, and endocrine cells. When the ligand binds to the receptor site on the ion channel, it induces a conformational change in the protein, allowing the passage of ions (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride) across the membrane. Therefore, they are considered promising targets in the development of therapeutic antibodies and proteins aimed at treating a plethora of diseases, from neurological disorders to cardiovascular ailments.

Fig.1 Ligand-gated ion channel subtypes.¹

Ligand-Gated Channel Assay Service

Creative Biolabs boasts a robust platform of validated assays designed to profile ion channel selectivity with precision and reliability. Our comprehensive ion channel suite includes over 100 stable cell lines, rigorously categorized into specialized portfolios that reflect the latest advancements in ion channel research. This diversity enables us to deliver customized solutions that address the unique needs of our clients in various therapeutic areas. Our ligand-gated ion channel assay portfolio includes a wide range of ion channels:

Comprehensive Assay Design for Ligand-Gated Channels

Creative Biolabs employs state-of-the-art technologies to deliver comprehensive ligand-gated ion channel profiling. These technologies include:

• Manual Patch Clamp. Widely regarded as the gold standard for electrophysiology studies, manual patch clamping provides unparalleled accuracy in investigating ligand-gated ion channel functions, gating mechanisms, and pharmacological responses.
• Automated Patch Clamp. For high-throughput requirements, our APC systems offer an efficient alternative to manual techniques, delivering reliable data with enhanced speed and consistency.
• Fluorescent imaging plate reader assays. This fluorescence-based imaging assay enables real-time measurement of ion channel activity in a high-throughput format. This approach is ideal for drug screening, mechanism-of-action studies, and dose-response analysis.

Advantages

• Broad Target Coverage
  Our assay platform supports a wide range of ligand-gated ion channels, including GABAA, nAChR, NMDA, 5-HT3A, P2X, and TRP families. This enables comprehensive profiling across multiple disease-relevant targets for antibody and protein drug discovery.
• Advanced Technology Integration
  We utilize manual patch clamp, automated patch clamp, and fluorescence-based plate reader assays to ensure both precision and throughput. These technologies allow detailed functional analysis, mechanism-of-action studies, and high-throughput screening.
• Customizable & High-Throughput Solutions
  With over 100 validated stable cell lines and customizable assay formats, our service accommodates diverse research needs—from early-stage screening to in-depth functional profiling—across neurological, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disease areas.
• Expert Support & Reliable Data
  Creative Biolabs offers expert assay design and execution, ensuring reliable, reproducible results. Our assays help identify selective modulators, characterize channel kinetics, and support rational drug design with actionable data.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in advancing your ligand-gated ion channel research.

Reference

1. Rao, Rohan, et al. "Ligand-gated ion channels as targets for treatment and management of cancers." Frontiers in Physiology 13 (2022): 839437. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

For Research Use Only | Not For Clinical Use