The Molecular Mechanism of Opening the Helix Bundle Crossing (HBC) Gate of a Kir Channel.

ABSTRACT: Inwardly rectifying K(+) (Kir) channels, serving as natural molecular nanomachines, transport potassium ions across the plasma membrane of the cell. Along the ion permeation pathway, three relatively narrow regions (the selectivity filter (SF), the inner helix bundle crossing (HBC), and the cytosolic G loop) may serve as gates to control ion permeation. Our previous molecular dynamics simulations based on the crystal structure of a Kir3.1 chimera revealed the possible gating mechanism of the G loop gate. Here, we introduced a proline mutation in the inner helix and obtained a channel model of the open HBC gate. The open HBC gate reaches 0.6 nm in diameter, which allows partial hydrated K(+) ions to pass through. During the gating process, both the transmembrane helices TM1 and TM2 cooperat

SUBMITTER: Meng XY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4954981 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature