Figure 2. Edited Mammalian Potassium Channels Recover More Quickly from Inactivation.

Fast inactivation in voltage-dependent potassium channels is caused by a tethered inactivation particle, which enters the channel’s inner vestibule after opening and plugs the ion conduction pathway by binding to a receptor through a hydrophobic interaction. In the case of human K_v1.1, the inactivation particle is attached to a β subunit. RNA editing reduces the hydrophobicity of the inactivation particle’s receptor, allowing the particle to unbind more rapidly. The dashed arrow indicates a slower rate. The channel’s gate, in the open position, is shown in black.