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  • Title: Atomistic basis of opening and conduction in mammalian inward rectifier potassium (Kir2.2) channels.
    Author: Zangerl-Plessl EM, Lee SJ, Maksaev G, Bernsteiner H, Ren F, Yuan P, Stary-Weinzinger A, Nichols CG.
    Journal: J Gen Physiol; 2020 Jan 06; 152(1):. PubMed ID: 31744859.
    Abstract:
    Potassium ion conduction through open potassium channels is essential to control of membrane potentials in all cells. To elucidate the open conformation and hence the mechanism of K+ ion conduction in the classic inward rectifier Kir2.2, we introduced a negative charge (G178D) at the crossing point of the inner helix bundle, the location of ligand-dependent gating. This "forced open" mutation generated channels that were active even in the complete absence of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), an otherwise essential ligand for Kir channel opening. Crystal structures were obtained at a resolution of 3.6 Å without PIP2 bound, or 2.8 Å in complex with PIP2. The latter revealed a slight widening at the helix bundle crossing (HBC) through backbone movement. MD simulations showed that subsequent spontaneous wetting of the pore through the HBC gate region allowed K+ ion movement across the HBC and conduction through the channel. Further simulations reveal atomistic details of the opening process and highlight the role of pore-lining acidic residues in K+ conduction through Kir2 channels.
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