Changing perspectives on how the permeation pathway through potassium channels is regulated
- Author(s)
- Black, KA; Jin, R; He, S; Gulbis, JM;
- Journal Title
- Journal of Physiology
- Publication Type
- Journal Article in press
- Abstract
- The primary means by which ion permeation through potassium channels is controlled, and the key to selective intervention in a range of pathophysiological conditions, is the process by which channels switch between non-conducting and conducting states. Conventionally, this has been explained by a steric mechanism in which the pore alternates between two conformations: a 'closed' state in which the conduction pathway is occluded and an 'open' state where the pathway is sufficiently wide to accommodate fully hydrated ions. Recently, however, 'non-canonical' mechanisms have been proposed for some classes of K(+) channels. The purpose of this review is to illuminate structural and dynamic relationships underpinning permeation control in K(+) channels, indicating where additional data might resolve some of the remaining issues. Hypothetical mechanisms of control over ion permeation through potassium channels. The upper panel portrays the canonical steric pore-gating mechanism, while the lower panels depict emerging models. Of these, the left-hand panel describes the situation where steric changes have been ruled out and gating has been ascribed to the selectivity filter, whereas the right-hand panel shows a 'dewetting' model, which is neither contingent upon, nor excludes, steric changes within the pore. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
- Publisher
- Physiological Society
- Research Division(s)
- Structural Biology
- PubMed ID
- 31612997
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1113/JP278682
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2019-10-28 12:05:01
Last Modified: 2019-10-30 09:25:51