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The open pore conformation of potassium channels

Author

Listed:
  • Youxing Jiang

    (Rockefeller University)

  • Alice Lee

    (Rockefeller University)

  • Jiayun Chen

    (Rockefeller University)

  • Martine Cadene

    (Rockefeller University)

  • Brian T. Chait

    (Rockefeller University)

  • Roderick MacKinnon

    (Rockefeller University)

Abstract

Living cells regulate the activity of their ion channels through a process known as gating. To open the pore, protein conformational changes must occur within a channel's membrane-spanning ion pathway. KcsA and MthK, closed and opened K+ channels, respectively, reveal how such gating transitions occur. Pore-lining ‘inner’ helices contain a ‘gating hinge’ that bends by approximately 30°. In a straight conformation four inner helices form a bundle, closing the pore near its intracellular surface. In a bent configuration the inner helices splay open creating a wide (12 Å) entryway. Amino-acid sequence conservation suggests a common structural basis for gating in a wide range of K+ channels, both ligand- and voltage-gated. The open conformation favours high conduction by compressing the membrane field to the selectivity filter, and also permits large organic cations and inactivation peptides to enter the pore from the intracellular solution.

Suggested Citation

  • Youxing Jiang & Alice Lee & Jiayun Chen & Martine Cadene & Brian T. Chait & Roderick MacKinnon, 2002. "The open pore conformation of potassium channels," Nature, Nature, vol. 417(6888), pages 523-526, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:417:y:2002:i:6888:d:10.1038_417523a
    DOI: 10.1038/417523a
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    Cited by:

    1. Tobias Raisch & Andreas Brockmann & Ulrich Ebbinghaus-Kintscher & Jörg Freigang & Oliver Gutbrod & Jan Kubicek & Barbara Maertens & Oliver Hofnagel & Stefan Raunser, 2021. "Small molecule modulation of the Drosophila Slo channel elucidated by cryo-EM," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Andy K. M. Lam & Sonja Rutz & Raimund Dutzler, 2022. "Inhibition mechanism of the chloride channel TMEM16A by the pore blocker 1PBC," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Ausloos, Marcel & Ivanova, Kristinka & Siwy, Zuzanna, 2004. "Searching for self-similarity in switching time and turbulent cascades in ion transport through a biochannel. A time delay asymmetry," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 336(3), pages 319-333.
    4. Elvira Pantuso & Ejaz Ahmed & Enrica Fontananova & Adele Brunetti & Ibrahim Tahir & Durga Prasad Karothu & Nisreen Amer Alnaji & Ghada Dushaq & Mahmoud Rasras & Panče Naumov & Gianluca Profio, 2023. "Smart dynamic hybrid membranes with self-cleaning capability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Turkan Haliloglu & Nir Ben-Tal, 2008. "Cooperative Transition between Open and Closed Conformations in Potassium Channels," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(8), pages 1-11, August.

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