Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Xenbase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
XB-ART-40129
Pflugers Arch 2006 Mar 01;4516:776-92. doi: 10.1007/s00424-005-1515-2.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Allosteric effects of external K+ ions mediated by the aspartate of the GYGD signature sequence in the Kv2.1 K+ channel.

Chapman ML , Blanke ML , Krovetz HS , VanDongen AM .


???displayArticle.abstract???
K+ channels achieve exquisite ion selectivity without jeopardizing efficient permeation by employing multiple, interacting K+-binding sites. Introduction ofa cadmium (Cd2+)-binding site in the external vestibule of Kv2.1 (drk1), allowed us to functionally characterize a binding site for external monovalent cations. Permeant ions displayed higher affinity for this site than non-permeant monovalent cations, although the selectivity profile was different from that of the channel. Point mutations identified the highly conserved aspartate residue immediately following the selectivity filter as a critical determinant of the antagonism between external K+ and Cd2+ ions. A conservative mutation at this position (D378E) significantly affected the open-state stability. Moreover, the mean open time was found to be modulated by external K+ concentration, suggesting a coupling between channel closing and the permeation process. Reducing the Rb+ conductance by mutating the selectivity filter to the sequence found inKv4.1, also significantly reduced the effectiveness ofRb+ ions to antagonize Cd2+ inhibition, thereby implicating the selectivity filter as the site at which K+ions exert their antagonistic effect on Cd2+ block. The equivalent of D378 in KcsA, D80, takes part in an inter-subunit hydrogen-bond network that allows D80to functionally interact with the selectivity filter. The results suggest that external K+ ions antagonize Cd2+inhibition (in I379C) and modulate the mean open time(in the wild-type Kv2.1) by altering the occupancy profile of the K+-binding sites in the selectivity filter.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 16283201
???displayArticle.link??? Pflugers Arch
???displayArticle.grants??? [+]

Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: kcnb1

References [+] :
Andalib, Control of outer vestibule dynamics and current magnitude in the Kv2.1 potassium channel. 2002, Pubmed