Structural models of TREK channels and their gating mechanism.

ABSTRACT: Mechanosensitive TREK channels belong to the family of K2P channels, a family of widely distributed, well modulated channels that uniquely have two similar or identical subunits, each with two TM1-P-TM2 motifs. Our goal is to build viable structural models of TREK channels, as representatives of K2P channels family. The structures available to be used as templates belong to the 2TM channels superfamily. These have low sequence similarity and different structural features: four symmetrically arranged subunits, each having one TM1-P-TM2 motif. Our model building strategy used two subunits of the template (KcsA) to build one subunit of the target (TREK-1). Our models of the Closed channel were adjusted to differ substantially from those of the template, e.g., TM2 of the 2nd repeat is near the

SUBMITTER: Milac A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3052205 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature