Table 4.

Genetic data identifying patterning roles for ion channels or gap junctions. Although single gene mutation approaches are not well-suited to uncovering roles for resting voltage potential (V_mem) because of the high degree of compensation and redundancy among ion channel family members, a number of ion-transport regulators have been identified in unbiased screens for morphogenetic mutants. Comprehensive screens for bioelectric signaling in development will require methods in which V_mem is systematically altered in distinct cell types, among discrete ranges of voltage, for example, by using tight physiological or optical control of genetically misexpressed transporters

Protein	Morphogenetic role	Species	Reference
TMEM16A chloride channel	Tracheal morphogenesis	Mouse	Rock et al. 2008
Kir7.1 potassium channel	Melanosome development	Zebrafish	Iwashita et al. 2006
KCNH2 potassium channel	Cardiac morphology	Mouse	Teng et al. 2008
Cx41.8 gap junction	Pigmentation pattern	Zebrafish	Watanabe et al. 2006
Cx43 gap junction	Fin regeneration	Zebrafish	Hoptak-Solga et al. 2008
Cx43 gap junction	Fin-size regulation	Zebrafish	Iovine et al. 2005
Kir2.1 potassium channel	Craniofacial morphogenesis (Andersen-Tawil syndrome)	Mouse	Bendahhou et al. 2003