Structural highlights
Function
[GLIC_GLOVI] Cationic channel with similar permeabilities for Na(+) and K(+), that is activated by an increase of the proton concentration on the extracellular side. Displays no permeability for chloride ions. Shows slow kinetics of activation, no desensitization and a single channel conductance of 8 pS. Might contribute to adaptation to external pH change.[1]
Evolutionary Conservation
Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels from the Cys-loop family mediate fast chemo-electrical transduction, but the mechanisms of ion permeation and gating of these membrane proteins remain elusive. Here we present the X-ray structure at 2.9 A resolution of the bacterial Gloeobacter violaceus pentameric ligand-gated ion channel homologue (GLIC) at pH 4.6 in an apparently open conformation. This cationic channel is known to be permanently activated by protons. The structure is arranged as a funnel-shaped transmembrane pore widely open on the outer side and lined by hydrophobic residues. On the inner side, a 5 A constriction matches with rings of hydrophilic residues that are likely to contribute to the ionic selectivity. Structural comparison with ELIC, a bacterial homologue from Erwinia chrysanthemi solved in a presumed closed conformation, shows a wider pore where the narrow hydrophobic constriction found in ELIC is removed. Comparative analysis of GLIC and ELIC reveals, in concert, a rotation of each extracellular beta-sandwich domain as a rigid body, interface rearrangements, and a reorganization of the transmembrane domain, involving a tilt of the M2 and M3 alpha-helices away from the pore axis. These data are consistent with a model of pore opening based on both quaternary twist and tertiary deformation.
X-ray structure of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel in an apparently open conformation.,Bocquet N, Nury H, Baaden M, Le Poupon C, Changeux JP, Delarue M, Corringer PJ Nature. 2009 Jan 1;457(7225):111-4. Epub 2008 Nov 5. PMID:18987633[2]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
See Also
References
- ↑ Bocquet N, Prado de Carvalho L, Cartaud J, Neyton J, Le Poupon C, Taly A, Grutter T, Changeux JP, Corringer PJ. A prokaryotic proton-gated ion channel from the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor family. Nature. 2007 Jan 4;445(7123):116-9. Epub 2006 Dec 10. PMID:17167423 doi:10.1038/nature05371
- ↑ Bocquet N, Nury H, Baaden M, Le Poupon C, Changeux JP, Delarue M, Corringer PJ. X-ray structure of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel in an apparently open conformation. Nature. 2009 Jan 1;457(7225):111-4. Epub 2008 Nov 5. PMID:18987633 doi:10.1038/nature07462
