The contraction of skeletal muscles is turned on by Ca²⁺ released from the cellular store by RyR channels in a quasi-crystalline array, half of which only have contacts with neighbor RyRs. Rios and Pizarro’s model assumes these channels to be controlled allosterically by their neighbors and matches quantitatively observations of Ca²⁺ release gathered over decades.

Bioelectrical signaling is important in many small structures, such as bacteria, viruses, and intracellular vesicles. The dynamics in small structures are strongly affected by stochastic gating of single ion channels. Howell et al. provide a framework for predicting and interpreting bioelectrical dynamics in small structures.

We developed a kinetic framework for the major membrane-current components in Paramecium. The framework integrates late-component, leak, and inward Ca²⁺ currents, including Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation and slow recovery. It reproduces graded membrane responses under the present recording conditions.

Hearts of hibernating mammals continue to beat at near 0°C thanks to continued excitability. Several members of a minor group of voltage-gated Na channels in the heart are found to contain a mutation unique to hibernators. Molecular details of this mutation may help to explain the continued activity of the heart in the cold.

The conductive state of the TMEM16A channel has not been determined, making it difficult to understand how the channel operates. Here, we use molecular simulations to show that the 1PBC-bound structure opens upon inhibitor removal. We found a hydrophobic network between TM3 and TM4 that stabilizes the open conformation and confirmed its importance experimentally.

Along with membrane potential and respiration, mitochondrial matrix volume is a critical parameter that is linked to physiological and pathological states. Here, we present an assay for detection of the dynamic changes in mitochondrial matrix volume in living cells. This approach will become very useful for many researchers working in the field of cell biology.

Na/K pump α1 subunit variants cause several disease phenotypes. Here, we show that all variants known to cause hypomagnesemia and seizures carry aberrant leak currents and have both reduced function and reduced plasmalemma expression. The cryo-EM structure of variant W931R suggests that the leaking ions may permeate through the protein/lipid interface.