Conversion of an instantaneous activating K+ channel into a slow activating inward rectifier

Dirk Baumeister, Brigitte Hertel, Indra Schroeder, Sabrina Gazzarrini, Stefan M. Kast, James L. Van Etten, Anna Moroni, Gerhard Thiel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The miniature channel, Kcv, is a structural equivalent of the pore of all K+ channels. Here, we follow up on a previous observation that a largely voltage-insensitive channel can be converted into a slow activating inward rectifier after extending the outer transmembrane domain by one Ala. This gain of rectification can be rationalized by dynamic salt bridges at the cytosolic entrance to the channel; opening is favored by voltage-sensitive formation of salt bridges and counteracted by their disruption. Such latent voltage sensitivity in the pore could be relevant for the understanding of voltage gating in complex Kv channels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)295-303
Number of pages9
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume591
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

  • Kcv K channel
  • inward rectification
  • salt bridges
  • voltage-dependent gating

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

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