GATED PORES IN THE FERRITIN PROTEIN NANOCAGE.

ABSTRACT: Synopsis and pictogram: Gated pores in the ferritin family of protein nanocages, illustrated in the pictogram, control transfer of ferrous iron into and out of the cages by regulating contact between hydrated ferric oxide mineral inside the protein cage, and reductants such as FMNH(2) on the outside. The structural and functional homology between the gated ion channel proteins in inaccessible membranes and gated ferritin pores in the stable, water soluble nanoprotein, make studies of ferritin pores models for gated pores in many ion channel proteins.Properties of ferritin gated pores, which control rates of FMNH(2) reduction of ferric iron in hydrated oxide minerals inside the protein nanocage, are discussed in terms of the conserved pore gate residues (arginine 72-apspartate 122 and leuci

SUBMITTER: Theil EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2350241 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature