Figure 2.

NLC shifts report on the conformational state probability of the OHC motor protein. (A) Model NLC and corresponding probability of the motor being in the compact state (P_con) versus membrane voltage. Cartoons depict motor in expanded state with anion bound and with positive gating charge on cytoplasmic side, and in contracted state with gating charge displaced toward the extracellular side of the membrane. (B) Corresponding time-dependent changes in state probability and NLC (green traces) during voltage steps from +50 mV to 0 mV (a → b) or from +50 mV to −50 mV (a → c; blue traces). Note polarities of relaxations.