Focus
Focus on ion channels
Ion channels play important roles in a variety of processes in almost all cells, from sensing membrane pressure to neurotransmission. Since the first structure of a potassium channel was reported nearly 10 years ago, improvements in methods have provided us with additional high-resolution views of ion channels, which have informed and guided mechanistic studies. This focus highlights emerging insights into these important molecules obtained from the most current structural and functional studies. The library of Nature Research articles compiles recent work in the ion channel field.
Current Research
Straightening and sequential buckling of the pore-lining helices define the gating cycle of MscS-
Akitake, B., Anishkin, A., Liu, N. & Sukharev, S.
Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 14, 1141-1149 (2007).
Molecular driving forces determining potassium channel slow inactivation-
Cordero-Morales, J.F., Jogini,V., Lewis, A., Vásquez, V., Cortes, D.M., Roux, B. & Perozo, E.
Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 14, 1062-1069 (2007).
Conformational dynamics of the KcsA potassium channel governs gating properties-
Baker, K.A., Tzitzilonis, C., Kwiatkowski, W., Choe, S. & Riek, R.
Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 14, 1089-1095 (2007).
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