Determining the structure of the bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel NaChBac embedded in liposomes by cryo electron tomography and subtomogram averaging.

ABSTRACT: Voltage-gated sodium channels shape action potentials that propagate signals along cells. When the membrane potential reaches a certain threshold, the channels open and allow sodium ions to flow through the membrane depolarizing it, followed by the deactivation of the channels. Opening and closing of the channels is important for cellular signalling and regulates various physiological processes in muscles, heart and brain. Mechanistic insights into the voltage-gated channels are difficult to achieve as the proteins are typically extracted from membranes for structural analysis which results in the loss of the transmembrane potential that regulates their activity. Here, we report the structural analysis of a bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel, NaChBac, reconstituted in liposomes under a

SUBMITTER: Chang SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10352297 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature