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Ion Channels of Unicellular Microbes

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Evolution of the First Nervous Systems

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 188))

Abstract

Before the first “nervous system,” there must have been “nervous molecules”. The quintessential nervous molecules are the ion channels. These integral membrane proteins enclose the hydrophilic pathways across the hydrophobic membrane that would be otherwise impenetrable for charged or polar molecules. Since a room without a door is but a tomb, one could argue on first principles that channels probably evolved soon after cell membranes. Arguments and speculations aside, we have now shown that protozoa, yeast, and even bacteria all have ion channels. It appears that all cellular forms of life have ion channels. We are also forced to conclude that they must have evolved very early.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Department of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    Ching Kung

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  1. Ching Kung
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, USA

    Peter A. V. Anderson

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Kung, C. (1989). Ion Channels of Unicellular Microbes. In: Anderson, P.A.V. (eds) Evolution of the First Nervous Systems. NATO ASI Series, vol 188. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0921-3_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0921-3_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0923-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0921-3

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