Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated ion channels which are highly sensitive to extracellular acidosis and are permeable to cations1, predominantly Na+. To date, six different ASIC subunits (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3 and 4) encoded by four genes have been identified. Three subunits assemble to form homomeric or heteromeric channels which are expressed throughout the CNS and PNS. Excitatory ASIC channels have a proposed role in nociception and pain, and other neurological diseases such as ischaemia, inflammation and learning and memory.
The HESI Cardiac Safety Committee present results from an international ion channel research study that assessed the variability of hERG data generated using automated patch clamp platforms (QPatch 48, Qube 384 and the SyncroPatch 384i) across four different labs.
We developed a high-throughput, electrophysiological assay of TREK-1 function to identify novel modulators. The assay was optimized to identify both activators and inhibitors, providing comprehensive mechanistic data for high value, limited supply screening libraries, such as the venom fraction library used in this study (Targeted Venom Discovery Array, T-VDA, Venomtech, UK).