Molecular mechanism of Zn2+ inhibition of a voltage-gated proton channel.

ABSTRACT: Voltage-gated proton (Hv1) channels are involved in many physiological processes, such as pH homeostasis and the innate immune response. Zn²⁺ is an important physiological inhibitor of Hv1. Sperm cells are quiescent in the male reproductive system due to Zn²⁺ inhibition of Hv1 channels, but become active once introduced into the low-Zn²⁺-concentration environment of the female reproductive tract. How Zn²⁺ inhibits Hv1 is not completely understood. In this study, we use the voltage clamp fluorometry technique to identify the molecular mechanism of Zn²⁺ inhibition of Hv1. We find that Zn²⁺ binds to both the activated closed and resting closed states of the Hv1 channel, thereby inhibiting both voltage sensor motion and gate ope

SUBMITTER: Qiu F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5056077 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature