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Two configurations of a channel-forming membrane protein

Abstract

The protein oligomer forming the gap junction channel has been analysed in two Ca2+-sensitive states by electron microscopy of membranes in frozen aqueous solutions. Switching between states occurs by a small cooperative rearrangement involving tilting of the subunits, which may be responsible for the effect of Ca2+ on channel permeability in vivo.

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Unwin, P., Ennis, P. Two configurations of a channel-forming membrane protein. Nature 307, 609–613 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/307609a0

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