Ion selectivity in a semisynthetic K+ channel locked in the conductive conformation

Francis I. Valiyaveetil, Manuel Leonetti, Tom W. Muir, Roderick MacKinnon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

Potassium channels are K+-selective protein pores in cell membrane. The selectivity filter is the functional unit that allows K + channels to distinguish potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) ions. The filter's structure depends on whether K+ or Na+ ions are bound inside it. We synthesized a K+ channel containing the D-enantiomer of alanine in place of a conserved glycine and found by x-ray crystallography that its filter maintains the K+ (conductive) structure in the presence of Na+ and very low concentrations of K+. This channel conducts Na+ in the absence of K+ but not in the presence of K+. These findings demonstrate that the ability of the channel to adapt its structure differently to K+ and Na+ is a fundamental aspect of ion selectivity, as is the ability of multiple K+ ions to compete effectively with Na+ for the conductive filter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1004-1007
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume314
Issue number5801
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 10 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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