Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Escherichia coli has a single K+ channel gene, kch, that produces a K+ channel with six transmembrane segments and a cytosolic Regulate Conductance of K+ channels (RCK) domain. RCK domains are present in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms and known to regulate ion channel activity upon binding of an ion or a nucleotide, however, how Kch is regulated remains unknown. Here, we show that Zn2+ or Cu2+ activates Kch via the RCK domain. Structural studies reveal that eight RCK domains assemble into a gating ring that can assume three conformations, closed, intermediate, and open, and that Zn2+ promotes the open conformation by stabilizing the assembly interface. These results expand our knowledge on Kch and on RCK-mediated regulation of ion channels.
Source: PNAS Nexus
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,202
Awards: G1060285804, New Capabilities for Cancer Research in the TMC CryoEM Cores, Structure and mechanism of mammalian stearoyl-CoA desaturases, G3631876062, G4998256302, G5378429557, G5806950731, The Stanford-SLAC CryoEM Center, G887318865, Structure and mechanism of pendrin and the mutations that cause Pendred's Syndrome, Understanding the role of lipids in structure and function of membrane proteins
OpenAlex ID: W7204780674