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bioRxiv · 10.1101/148379

Magnetic Entropy as a Gating Mechanism for Magnetogenetic Ion Channels

Duret, G.·Polali, S.·Anderson, E. D.·Bell, A. M.·Tzouanas, C. N.·Avants, B. W.·Robinson, J. T.
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Abstract

Magnetically sensitive ion channels would allow researchers to better study how specific brain cells affect behavior in freely moving animals; however, recent reports of \"magnetogenetic\" ion channels have been questioned because known biophysical mechanisms cannot explain experimental observations. Here we show that magnetic fields can produce a change in the magnetic entropy of biogenic nanoparticles, which in turn may generate sufficient heat to gate temperature-sensitive ion channels. This magnetocaloric effect provides a rational approach for developing future magnetogenetic channels.

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Duret, G., Polali, S., Anderson, E. D., Bell, A. M., Tzouanas, C. N., Avants, B. W., Robinson, J. T.. 2017-06-11. Magnetic Entropy as a Gating Mechanism for Magnetogenetic Ion Channels. https://doi.org/10.1101/148379

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