Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels: a familiar channel family with a new function?

The cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel is a family of nonselective cation channels that open in response to an elevated cyclic nucleotide level. Cyclic nucleotides, particularly cAMP and cGMP, govern a great diversity of cellular functions. While the pivotal roles of CNG channels in the visual and olfactory systems have been well established in the past decade, relatively few studies were performed regarding the functional roles of CNG...