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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America logoLink to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
. 1995 Mar 14;92(6):2121–2125. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.6.2121

Voltage-dependent gating of an asymmetric gramicidin channel.

S Oiki 1, R E Koeppe 2nd 1, O S Andersen 1
PMCID: PMC42435  PMID: 7534411

Abstract

In an effort to understand the molecular mechanisms of voltage activation of ion channels, we have chosen a system of known structure and examined the properties of heterodimeric channels formed between [Val1]gramicidin A ([Val1]gA) and [F6Val1]gramicidin A ([F6Val1]gA). Gramicidin channels are usually not voltage-dependent; but the introduction of a single symmetry-breaking dipolar F6Val1 residue into a ([Val1]gA)2 dimer to form the [F6Val1]gA/[Val1]gA heterodimer induces voltage-dependent transitions between two conducting states: a high-conductance state and a zero conductance (closed) state. The distribution between these states varies as a function of the applied potential but is not dependent on the nature of the permeant ion (H+ or Cs+). The permeating ions do not seem to contribute to the apparent gating charge.

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Selected References

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