Target type: molecularfunction
Enables the transfer of cation from one side of a membrane to the other. [GOC:dgf, GOC:mtg_transport, ISBN:0815340729]
Monoatomic cation transmembrane transporter activity involves the movement of single-atom ions across cell membranes. These transporters play a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating the concentration of essential ions, such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and chloride (Cl-), within cells. This activity is essential for a wide range of cellular processes, including:
- **Action potential propagation:** The movement of Na+ and K+ ions across neuronal membranes is essential for generating and transmitting electrical signals, enabling communication between neurons.
- **Muscle contraction:** The influx of Ca2+ ions into muscle cells triggers the contraction of muscle fibers.
- **Cellular signaling:** The concentration of ions like Ca2+ and H+ within cells can act as signaling molecules, regulating various cellular processes.
- **Maintaining cell volume:** The movement of water across cell membranes is tightly coupled to the concentration of ions, ensuring the proper volume and integrity of cells.
These transporters can be either passive or active:
- **Passive transporters** facilitate the movement of ions down their concentration gradients, requiring no energy input. This type of transport is driven by the difference in concentration between the inside and outside of the cell.
- **Active transporters** move ions against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input from ATP or other energy sources. This allows cells to concentrate specific ions within their cytoplasm or remove unwanted ions from the cell.
The specific mechanism of monoatomic cation transmembrane transport can vary depending on the transporter protein involved. Some transporters utilize ion channels, which are pores within the membrane that allow ions to pass through based on size and charge. Others utilize carrier proteins, which bind to the ion and facilitate its movement across the membrane.
Monoatomic cation transmembrane transporter activity is essential for the normal functioning of all living organisms, and dysregulation of this activity can lead to a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and muscle disorders.'
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| Protein | Definition | Taxonomy |
|---|---|---|
| Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 4 | An equilibrative nucleoside transporter 4 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q7RTT9] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Acetylcholine receptor subunit epsilon | An acetylcholine receptor subunit epsilon that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q04844] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Compound | Definition | Classes | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| histamine | aralkylamino compound; imidazoles | human metabolite; mouse metabolite; neurotransmitter | |
| tacrine | tacrine : A member of the class of acridines that is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine substituted by an amino group at position 9. It is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine: A cholinesterase inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Tacrine has been used to counter the effects of muscle relaxants, as a respiratory stimulant, and in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other central nervous system disorders. | acridines; aromatic amine | EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor |
| donepezil | 2-[(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)methyl]-5,6-dimethoxyindan-1-one : A member of the class of indanones that is 5,6-dimethoxyindan-1-one which is substituted at position 2 by an (N-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)methyl group. donepezil : A racemate comprising equimolar amounts of (R)- and (S)-donepezil. A centrally acting reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, its main therapeutic use is in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease where it is used to increase cortical acetylcholine. Donepezil: An indan and piperidine derivative that acts as a selective and reversible inhibitor of ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE. Donepezil is highly selective for the central nervous system and is used in the management of mild to moderate DEMENTIA in ALZHEIMER DISEASE. | aromatic ether; indanones; piperidines; racemate | EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor; EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor; nootropic agent |
| mecamylamine | Mecamylamine: A nicotinic antagonist that is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and crosses the blood-brain barrier. Mecamylamine has been used as a ganglionic blocker in treating hypertension, but, like most ganglionic blockers, is more often used now as a research tool. | primary aliphatic amine | |
| nicotine | (S)-nicotine : A 3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine in which the chiral centre has S-configuration. The naturally occurring and most active enantiomer of nicotine, isolated from Nicotiana tabacum. | 3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine | anxiolytic drug; biomarker; immunomodulator; mitogen; neurotoxin; nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist; peripheral nervous system drug; phytogenic insecticide; plant metabolite; psychotropic drug; teratogenic agent; xenobiotic |