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.