We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Structural basis of TEA blockade in a model potassium channel.
- Authors
Lenaeus, Michael J.; Vamvouka, Magdalini; Focia, Pamela J.; Gross, Adrian
- Abstract
Potassium channels catalyze the selective transfer of potassium across the cell membrane and are essential for setting the resting potential in cells, controlling heart rate and modulating the firing pattern in neurons. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) blocks ion conduction through potassium channels in a voltage-dependent manner from both sides of the membrane. Here we show the structural basis of TEA blockade by cocrystallizing the prokaryotic potassium channel KcsA with two selective TEA analogs. TEA binding at both sites alters ion occupancy in the selectivity filter; these findings underlie the mutual destabilization and voltage-dependence of TEA blockade. We propose that TEA blocks potassium channels by acting as a potassium analog at the dehydration transition step during permeation.
- Subjects
POTASSIUM channels; AMMONIUM; ION channels; CELL membranes; BIOLOGICAL membranes; NEURONS
- Publication
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2005, Vol 12, Issue 5, p454
- ISSN
1545-9993
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/nsmb929