Gating mechanism of Kv11.1 (hERG) K⁺ channels without covalent connection between voltage sensor and pore domains.

ABSTRACT: Kv11.1 (hERG, KCNH2) is a voltage-gated potassium channel crucial in setting the cardiac rhythm and the electrical behaviour of several non-cardiac cell types. Voltage-dependent gating of Kv11.1 can be reconstructed from non-covalently linked voltage sensing and pore modules (split channels), challenging classical views of voltage-dependent channel activation based on a S4-S5 linker acting as a rigid mechanical lever to open the gate. Progressive displacement of the split position from the end to the beginning of the S4-S5 linker induces an increasing negative shift in activation voltage dependence, a reduced z _g value and a more negative ΔG ₀ for current activation, an almost complete abolition of the activation time course sigmoid shape and a slowing of the voltage-

SUBMITTER: de la Pena P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5805800 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature