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Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 15, 1130–1132 (1 November 2008) | doi:10.1038/nsmb1108-1130

Integration of an electric-metal sensory experience in the Slo1 BK channel

Frank T Horrigan & Toshinori Hoshi

Functional versatility of proteins is often conferred in a mix-and-match manner; modules designed for specialized tasks are assembled together like different musical instruments in a tight ensemble. How do these diverse modules fit together to create a smoothly functioning whole? This is a particularly challenging task for proteins with moving parts, as conformational changes must be coordinated.