Voltage sensor of ion channels and enzymes.

ABSTRACT: Placed in the cell membrane (a two-dimensional environment), ion channels and enzymes are able to sense voltage. How these proteins are able to detect the difference in the voltage across membranes has attracted much attention, and at times, heated debate during the last few years. Sodium, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ voltage-dependent channels have a conserved positively charged transmembrane (S4) segment that moves in response to changes in membrane voltage. In voltage-dependent channels, S4 forms part of a domain that crystallizes as a well-defined structure consisting of the first four transmembrane (S1-S4) segments of the channel-forming protein, which is defined as the voltage sensor domain (VSD). The VSD is tied to a pore domain and VSD movements are allosterically coupled to t

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5425699 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature