Ion channels play critical roles in cellular function by facilitating the flow of ions across the membrane in response to chemical or mechanical stimuli. Ion channels operate in a lipid bilayer, which can modulate or define their function. Recent technical advancements have led to the solution of numerous ion channel structures solubilized in detergent and/or reconstituted into lipid bilayers, thus providing unprecedented insight into the mechanisms underlying ion channel–lipid interactions. Here, we describe how ion channel structures have evolved to respond to both lipid modulators and lipid activators to control the electrical activities of cells, highlighting diverse mechanisms and common themes.

离子通道通过促进离子在化学或机械刺激下跨膜流动，在细胞功能中发挥关键作用。离子通道在脂质双层中运作，可以调节或定义其功能。最近的技术进步已经解决了许多离子通道结构溶解在洗涤剂中和/或重构为脂质双层的问题，从而为离子通道-脂质相互作用的机制提供了前所未有的见解。在这里，我们描述了离子通道结构如何进化以响应脂质调节剂和脂质激活剂来控制细胞的电活动，强调不同的机制和共同主题。