title: Understanding the conformational motions of RCK gating rings.
abstract: Regulator of conduction of K+(RCK) domains are ubiquitous regulators of channel and transporter activity in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In humans, RCK domains form an integral component of large-conductance calcium-activated K channels (BK channels), key modulators of nerve, muscle, and endocrine cell function. In this review, we explore how the study of RCK domains in bacterial and human channels has contributed to our understanding of the structural basis of channel function. This knowledge will be critical in identifying mechanisms that underlie BK channelopathies that lead to epilepsy and other diseases, as well as regions of the channel that might be successfully targeted to treat such diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Technologies and Centre for Biomedical Research of the Canary Islands, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna 38071, Spain giraldez@ull.edu.es rothberg@temple.edu.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4096-810X
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Giraldez
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140 giraldez@ull.edu.es rothberg@temple.edu.
authors.forename: Brad S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1982-2269
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Rothberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D017014:Methanobacterium / Q000737:chemistry; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072417:Protein Domains
chemical_list: D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels