Permeation of water through the KcsA K+ channel.

Journal article

Previous studies have reported that the KcsA potassium channel has an osmotic permeability coefficient of 4.8 x 10(-12) cm3/s, giving it a significantly higher osmotic permeability coefficient than that of some membrane channels specialized in water transport. This high osmotic permeability is proposed to occur when the channel is depleted of potassium ions, the presence of which slow down the water permeation process. The atomic structure of the potassium-depleted KcsA channel and the mechan...

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Authors: Furini, S; Beckstein, O; Domene, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Proteins
• Volume: 74
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 437-448
• Publication date: 2009-02-01
• DOI: 10.1002/prot.22163
• EISSN: 1097-0134
• ISSN: 0887-3585
• Language: English
• Keywords: Models, Molecular; Potassium Channels; Streptomyces; Animals; Osmotic Pressure; Computer Simulation; Cell Membrane Permeability; Molecular Structure; Potassium; Bacterial Proteins; Water