Conformational changes and gating at the selectivity filter of potassium channels.

Journal article

The translocation of ions and water across cell membranes is a prerequisite for many of life's processes. K(+) channels are a diverse family of integral membrane proteins through which K(+) can pass selectively. There is an ongoing debate about the nature of conformational changes associated with the opening and closing and conductive and nonconductive states of potassium (K(+)) channels. These changes depend on the membrane potential, the K(+) concentration gradient, and large scale motions ...

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Authors: Domene, C; Klein, M; Branduardi, D; Gervasio, F; Parrinello, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
• Volume: 130
• Issue: 29
• Pages: 9474-9480
• Publication date: 2008-07-01
• DOI: 10.1021/ja801792g
• EISSN: 1520-5126
• ISSN: 0002-7863
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cations, Monovalent; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; Thermodynamics; Hydrogen Bonding; Models, Chemical; Potassium; Computer Simulation; Protein Conformation; Models, Molecular; Ion Channel Gating