The dynamics of K+ channel gates as a biological transistor

Abstract

Potassium channels are pore-forming membrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in a chemical or electrical potential, thereby regulating the flow of potassium ions across biological membranes. Two regions of the same channels are acting in tandem and enable ion flow through the channel pore. I refer to this coupled action as a “gate linker”. To closely examine the role of the gate linker in the channel function, I mutated the amino acids in the cDNA of this region, and used from knowen mutaion, either alone or together with the amino acids of adjacent regions.I have emphasized the importance of the linker between these two gates - mutations in this region may cause conformational changes that play a fundamental role in mediating the coupling between the voltage sensor, activation gate and selectivity filter elements of Kv channels. I observe that free energy considerations show the significance of the coupling between the activation and inactivation gates. Moreover, a symmetry between the coupling and sensor spring strength leads to the destruction of ion conductivity. I present a thermodynamic framework for the possible study of multiple channel blocks. The arising physical perspective of the gating process gives rise to new research avenues of the coupling mode of potassium channels and may assist in explaining the centrality of the “gate linker” to the channel function.