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. 2005 Apr 29;89(1):179–186. doi: 10.1529/biophysj.104.053447

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2

Positions of Cl− ions and the Glu-148 side chain during conduction attempts. Cl− ions are shown in green, Glu-148 in yellow with side-chain oxygens red; all atoms and ions are displayed at van der Waals radii. (A) Inward conduction: the lower Cl− ion (Cl-3) travels down past the Glu-148 side chain in its open configuration, while another ion (Cl-4) remains on the extracellular side of the gate. (B) During attempted outward conduction, the Glu-148 side chain has swung upward, blocking the pore. Ions Cl-2 (lower) and Cl-3 (upper) are shown. (C) For successful outward conduction, a third Cl− ion (Cl-3, uppermost) keeps the side chain in the open position while the middle Cl− ion (Cl-2) moves upward, influenced by Cl-1 (lowest). Cl-2 is about to replace Cl-3 (the “knock-on” effect).