A new approach to define dynamics of the ion channel gates

Voltage-gated ion channels are of great importance in the generation and propagation of electrical signals in the excitable cell membranes. How these channels respond to changes in the potential across the membrane has been a challenging problem, and different approaches have been proposed to address the mechanism of voltage sensing and gating in these channels. In this study, we attempt a new approach by considering a simple two-state gate system and applying the path probability method to construct a nonequilibrium statistical mechanical model of the system. The model which is based on the principles of statistical physics provides a firm physical basis for ion channel gating. © 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins