A family of hyperpolarization-activated channels selective for protons.

ABSTRACT: Proton (H⁺) channels are special: They select protons against other ions that are up to a millionfold more abundant. Only a few proton channels have been identified so far. Here, we identify a family of voltage-gated "pacemaker" channels, HCNL1, that are exquisitely selective for protons. HCNL1 activates during hyperpolarization and conducts protons into the cytosol. Surprisingly, protons permeate through the channel's voltage-sensing domain, whereas the pore domain is nonfunctional. Key to proton permeation is a methionine residue that interrupts the series of regularly spaced arginine residues in the S4 voltage sensor. HCNL1 forms a tetramer and thus contains four proton pores. Unlike classic HCN channels, HCNL1 is not gated by cyclic nucleotides. The channel is present in zeb

SUBMITTER: Wobig L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7306766 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature