From the gating charge response to pore domain movement: initial motions of Kv1.2 dynamics under physiological voltage changes.

ABSTRACT: Recent structures of the potassium channel provide an essential beginning point for explaining how the pore is gated between open and closed conformations by changes in membrane voltage. Yet, the molecular details of this process and the connections to transmembrane gradients are not understood. To begin addressing how changes within a membrane environment lead to the channel's ability to sense shifts in membrane voltage and to gate, we performed double-bilayer simulations of the Kv1.2 channel. These double-bilayer simulations enable us to simulate realistic voltage drops from resting potential conditions to depolarized conditions by changes in the bath conditions on each side of the bilayer. Our results show how the voltage sensor domain movement responds to differences in transmembrane p

SUBMITTER: Denning EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2848128 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature