The bacterial K+ channel structure and its implications for neuronal channels.
Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels play a central role in generating action potentials and rhythmic patterns, as well as in dendritic signal processing in neurons. Recently, the first structure of a member of the K+ channel family was solved. Although this channel is from bacteria and has a streamlined body plan with no voltage gating, it establishes the architecture of the functional core of the voltage-gated (K+) channels and their relatives. This architecture explains the crucial features of ion permeation and blockade, and gives some strong hints about gating. The bacterial K+ channel structure is the central piece in a puzzle; it remains to be seen how it will fit together with other domains of the Kv channels, with auxiliary subunits, and with other signal transduction molecules.
Yellen
G
G
Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA. gary_yellen@hms.harvard.edu
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels