Biology – Quantitative Biology – Biomolecules
Scientific paper
2009-12-11
Journal of Molecular Structure (Theochem) 950 (2010) 79-82
Biology
Quantitative Biology
Biomolecules
12 pages, 4 figures
Scientific paper
10.1016/j.theochem.2010.03.027
With the aid of quantum mechanical calculations we investigate the electronic structure of the full length (FL) potassium channel protein, FL-KcsA, in its closed conformation, and the electronic structure of the ClC chloride channel. The results indicate that both ion channels are strongly polarized towards the extracellular region with respect to the membrane mean plane. FL-KcsA possesses an electric dipole moment of magnitude 403 Debye while ClC has a macrodipole whose magnitude is about five times larger, 1983 Debye, thereby contributing to differentiate their membrane electric barriers. The dipole vectors of both proteins are aligned along the corresponding selectivity filters. This result suggests that potassium and chloride ion channels are not passive with respect to the movement of ions across the membrane and the ionic motion might be partially driven by the electric field of the protein in conjunction with the electrochemical potential of the membrane.
No associations
LandOfFree
Macrodipoles of potassium and chloride ion channels as revealed by electronic structure calculations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Macrodipoles of potassium and chloride ion channels as revealed by electronic structure calculations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Macrodipoles of potassium and chloride ion channels as revealed by electronic structure calculations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-467738