The voltage-dependent gate in MthK potassium channels is located at the selectivity filter.

ABSTRACT: Understanding how ion channels open and close their pores is crucial for comprehending their physiological roles. We used intracellular quaternary ammonium blockers, electrophysiology and X-ray crystallography to locate the voltage-dependent gate in MthK potassium channels from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. Blockers bind in an aqueous cavity between two putative gates: an intracellular gate and the selectivity filter. Thus, these blockers directly probe gate location--an intracellular gate will prevent binding when closed, whereas a selectivity filter gate will always allow binding. Kinetic analysis of tetrabutylammonium block of single MthK channels combined with X-ray crystallographic analysis of the pore with tetrabutyl antimony unequivocally determined that the voltage-dependen

SUBMITTER: Posson DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3565016 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature