Muscular wasting, a lack of muscle tone, or sporadic muscle paralysis are the most common symptoms of ion channel diseases, which are linked to defects in the proteins known as ion channels. Ion channels are diverse and differ with respect to how they open and close (gating) and their ionic conductance and selectivity (permeation). The development of novel molecules to modulate their activity, fundamental understanding of ion channel structure-function mechanisms, their physiological functions, how their dysfunction results in disease, their use as biosensors, and their utility as biosensors are important and active research frontiers. With a particular emphasis on voltage-gated ion channels, ion-channel engineering methods that have been used to investigate these facets of ion channel function are x-rayed.

Indeed, ion-channel malfunction contributes to a variety of human and animal diseases. This could be genetic, in which case changes in the ion channel-coding genes are the root cause. These conditions are referred to as "channelopathies". Cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, and cardiac arrhythmias are a few conditions that can be caused by channelopathies. Disorders can also be brought on by flaws brought on by changes in the genes that produce the proteins that control ion channels [1]. But non-genetic diseases like diarrhea, which are mediated by toxicological effects on ion channel function, may also involve ion channels. Ion dysfunction may be the root cause of many disorders [2]. Ion channels are crucial for the functioning of the brain and other organs. Numerous pathways can lead to defective ion channels, and these abnormalities are predicted to result in malfunction and disease. Channelopathies, which are illnesses of the ion channels, can be autoimmune, iatrogenic, toxic, or hereditary in origin. For instance, altered nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function is linked to the following conditions: autoantibodies against nAChR cause myasthenia gravis; actracuronium blocks nAChR and has pathological effects; toxic reactions to -bungarotoxin in snake venom; and congenital myasthenia caused by nAChR mutations [3].

In an autoimmune disease, autoantibodies against a channel protein often bind to the protein, which decreases the level and function of the channel and results in disease. Channelopathies, which are illnesses of the ion channels, can be autoimmune, iatrogenic, toxic, or hereditary in origin. For instance, nicoti autoantibodies that change channel function occasionally internalize receptors and decrease the number of active channels. Iatrogenic diseases result from receiving medical or surgical care. The ion channel may bind to a poison and prevent it from functioning [4].

Sometimes a poison is an ion channel that is introduced into the membrane of a larger cell by a bacterium or protozoan. The foreign channels create sizable nonselective holes that kill cells by lysing them. Genes that code for channel proteins are altered in genetic disorders, which results in the channels' malfunction [5].

The most frequent known causes of channelopathies are mutations in genes encoding ion channel proteins that interfere with channel function. The establishment and maintenance of ionic balance, sensory responses, cell proliferation and programmed cell death, as well as the ability to learn and store memories, are all mediated by ion channels, which act as gate keepers for ions moving across cell membranes [6].

At least sixty ion channels have been connected to disease states, and around 340 human genes encode ion channels.

Ion channels as drug targets

High-throughput screening is a key component in the quest for novel, powerful, and selective medications that interact with particular ion channels [7]. Functional tests like patch clamp are used to further investigate the active compounds from these high-throughput screening. In particular, 1) the cloning and expression of pertinent ion channels in cell lines, and 2) breakthrough biological high-throughput screening approaches, have made it possible to screen at the molecular level [4].

Ion channel diseases or ion channel disorders are brought on by problems with ion channel function. Most of the time via ion channel mutations.It is possible to inherit or acquire channelopathies: mutations in the genes encoding certain proteins cause inherited channelopathies. pore proteins (major). Also, acquired channelopathies are caused by de novo mutations, the results of medicines, poisons, or ion channel autoimmune attacks. It is increasingly acknowledged as a primary factor in the disease (more than 30 illnesses).  Equally,different mutation locations may result in the same channelopathy [5].

Technologies for ion channel characterization

Measuring the ionic current flowing through the channel and determining if the compound alters this current is the sole direct method of evaluating the impact of a chemical entity on an ion channel. Many facets of ion channel function have been revealed by using the patch clamp approach, which has proven to be quite effective. The classic patch clamp method, however, has significant drawbacks in pharmaceutical discovery and screening due to its poor throughput and labor-intensive nature [8].

Ion channels are crucial for the healthy operation of the body, and research has connected anomalies in these channels to several disorders. Ion channel abnormalities resulting from genetic or acquired causes are the basis for the disorders. Ion channel diseases are most frequently caused by mutations in the genes that encode ion channels, which affect channel function.