The role of ion channels in neurons and muscles has been well characterized. However, recent work has demonstrated both the presence and necessity of ion channels in diverse cell types for morphological development. For example, mutations that disrupt ion channels give rise to abnormal structural development in species of flies, frogs, fish, mice, and humans. Furthermore, medications and recreational drugs that target ion channels are associated with higher incidence of birth defects in humans. In this review we establish the effects of several teratogens on development including epilepsy treatment drugs (topiramate, valproate, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine), nicotine, heat, and cannabinoids. We then propose potential links between these teratogenic agents and ion channels with mechanistic insights from model organisms. Finally, we talk about the role of a particular ion channel, Kir2.1, in the formation and development of bone as an example of how ion channels can be used to uncover important processes in morphogenesis. Because ion channels are common targets of many currently used medications, understanding how ion channels impact morphological development will be important for prevention of birth defects. It is becoming increasingly clear that ion channels have functional roles outside of tissues that have been classically considered excitable.

离子通道在神经元和肌肉中的作用已得到很好的表征。但是，最近的工作证明了离子通道在形态学发展的各种细胞类型中的存在和必要性。例如，破坏离子通道的突变会导致苍蝇，青蛙，鱼，小鼠和人类物种异常的结构发育。此外，靶向离子通道的药物和娱乐性药物与人类天生缺陷的发生率更高有关。在这篇综述中，我们确定了几种致畸剂对发育的影响，包括癫痫治疗药物（托吡酯，丙戊酸盐，乙巯丁二酰亚胺，苯巴比妥，苯妥英钠和卡马西平），尼古丁，热和大麻素。然后，我们用模型生物的机理见解提出这些致畸剂与离子通道之间的潜在联系。最后，我们讨论一个特定的离子通道Kir2.1在骨骼的形成和发育中的作用，以此为例说明如何使用离子通道揭示形态发生中的重要过程。由于离子通道是许多当前使用药物的共同目标，因此了解离子通道如何影响形态发育对于预防先天缺陷至关重要。越来越清楚的是，离子通道在传统上被认为可激发的组织外部具有功能性作用。了解离子通道如何影响形态发育对于预防先天缺陷至关重要。越来越清楚的是，离子通道在传统上被认为可激发的组织外部具有功能性作用。了解离子通道如何影响形态发育对于预防先天缺陷至关重要。越来越清楚的是，离子通道在传统上被认为可激发的组织外部具有功能性作用。