Light-gated Ion Channel

Light-gated Ion Channel

Light-gated ion channels are a group of transmembrane proteins that form ion channels; pores which open or close in response to light. Most light-gated ion channels have been synthesized in the laboratory for study, though one naturally occurring example, Channelrhodopsin, is currently known. Photoreceptor proteins, which act in a similar manner to light-gated ion channels are generally G protein-coupled receptors and not actually gated ion channels.