Simulations of ion channels--watching ions and water move.

Journal article

Ion channels mediate electrical excitability in neurons and muscle. Three-dimensional structures for model peptide channels and for a potassium (K+) channel have been combined with computer simulations to permit rigorous exploration of structure-function relations of channels. Water molecules and ions within transbilayer pores tend to diffuse more slowly than in bulk solutions. In the narrow selectivity filter of the bacterial K+ channel (i.e. the region of the channel that discriminates betw...

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Authors: Sansom, MS; Shrivastava, I; Ranatunga, K; Smith, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Trends in biochemical sciences
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 368-374
• Publication date: 2000-08-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0968-0004(00)01613-3
• ISSN: 0968-0004
• Language: English
• Keywords: Protein Structure, Quaternary; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Membrane; Potassium Channels; Permeability; Static Electricity; Ion Channels; Structure-Activity Relationship; Diffusion; Membrane Proteins; Gramicidin; Models, Molecular; Alamethicin; Computer Simulation