Proton Channels
From Proteopedia
The M2 protein of influenza A virus is a proton channel. Its function is essential for productive infection by the virus.
In January, 2008, crystallographic and NMR structures were published side by side in Nature for the transmembrane domains of the M2 protein: 3bkd and 2rlf. The former appeared to be in an open conformation blocked by amantadine, while the latter appeared to be in a closed conformation stabilized by rimantadine.
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At right is a linear-interpolation morph between 3BKD and 2RLF, showing the proposed opening and closing of this channel.
In addition to watching the animation as alpha-helical ribbons, it is useful to watch it . Be sure to rotate the molecule to watch the animation from different perspectives!
Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)
Eric Martz, Eran Hodis, David Canner, Joel L. Sussman, Michal Harel, Alexander Berchansky, Jaime Prilusky
