Minimal art: Or why small viral K⁺ channels are good tools for understanding basic structure and function relations

Authors

• Gerhard Thiel, Technische Universität Darmstadt, GermanyFollow
• Dirk Baumeister, Technische Universität Darmstadt
• Indra Schroeder, Technische Universität Darmstadt
• Stefan M. Kast, Technische Universität DortmundFollow
• James L. Van Etten, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Anna Moroni, Università degli Studi di MilanoFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1808 (2011) 580–588

doi:10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.04.008

PMID: 20417613

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20417613

Comments

© 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Access via Pub Med

Abstract

Some algal viruses contain genes that encode proteins with the hallmarks of K+ channels. One feature of these proteins is that they are less than 100 amino acids in size, which make them truly minimal for a K+ channel protein. That is, they consist of only the pore module present in more complex K+ channels. The combination of miniature size and the functional robustness of the viral K+ channels make them ideal model systems for studying how K+ channels work. Here we summarize recent structure/function correlates from these channels, which provide insight into functional properties such as gating, pharmacology and sorting in cells.