Analysis of K+/Na+ selectivity of KcsA potassium channel with reference interaction site model theory

Abstract

As a preliminary approach, we have successfully analysed K+/Na+ selectivity of the KcsA potassium channel for the most selective ion occupancy state (1010) at the atomic level by using the reference interaction site model (RISM) integral equation theory [Q. Cui, V.H. Smith, Chem. Phys. Lett. 365, 110 (2002)]. With similar methods, in this paper, we analyse seven other most relevant ion occupancy states: (0101), (0110), (1001), (1000), (0100), (0010) and (0001). By analysing all the most relevant states, we are able to characterize some dynamic properties of the systems. More detailed solvation structures of the selectivity filter are presented and more solvation energetic data are obtained and compared with the available molecular dynamics simulation data. We predict consistent results with the simulations in that ions are best dehydrated at binding site 2. For ion occupancy states of most interest, we obtain good relative solvation free energies in comparison with the simulation data. The results in this paper further support the conclusion in our previous paper that the selectivity filter favours K+ over Na+ from the point of view of solvation.