Equilibrium selectivity alone does not create K+-selective ion conduction in K+ channels

Shian Liu and Steve W. Lockless ()
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Shian Liu: Texas A&M University
Steve W. Lockless: Texas A&M University

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Potassium (K+) channels are selective for K+ over Na+ ions during their transport across membranes. We and others have previously shown that tetrameric K+ channels are primarily occupied by K+ ions in their selectivity filters under physiological conditions, demonstrating the channel’s intrinsic equilibrium preference for K+ ions. Based on this observation, we hypothesize that the preference for K+ ions over Na+ ions in the filter determines its selectivity during ion conduction. Here, we ask whether non-selective cation channels, which share an overall structure and similar individual ion-binding sites with K+ channels, have an ion preference at equilibrium. The variants of the non-selective Bacillus cereus NaK cation channel we examine are all selective for K+ over Na+ ions at equilibrium. Thus, the detailed architecture of the K+ channel selectivity filter, and not only its equilibrium ion preference, is fundamental to the generation of selectivity during ion conduction.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3746

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