Figure 5.

Mean transition frequencies between states for voltage-dependent channels. The chord diagrams show the preferred transition routes through the full open, closed, and subconductance states, S1–S4, that are observed at ±30 mV. The mean data for eight voltage-dependent channels is shown. The transition counts are displayed around the central circle where the labeled segments correspond to each of the six states in model M1. States are colored as follows: Closed, gray; S4, red; S3, blue; S2, green; S1, orange; full, magenta. The inner rings show the proportion of transitions out of a state to the other states in the model. Ribbons between pairs of state segments correspond to transitions between the connected states, with ribbon width at a state segment corresponding to the number of transitions out of that state. Outer rings show percentage contributions of each state to the total incoming transitions into any state segment. Note that at −30 mV, there are at least 10 times fewer transitions overall than at +30 mV. At both potentials, a much greater proportion of transitions occur between S4 and the closed state than between any other states, however, at +30 mV, more transitions from S3 and S2 are to S1, S2 or the full open state. To see this figure in color, go online.