Investigation of KcsA Activation Using Ion Channel Recording Techniques

Abstract

<p> Potassium channels allow selective flow of K+ ions across impermeable membranes. They switch between closed and open states in response to stimulus. The closed state of KcsA, a potassium channel from the bacteria streptomyces lividans, has been crystallized and studied. However, attempts to obtain a structural description of gating transition of the channel have been hampered because the open state is transiently occupied. In this study, we investigated changes in gating functions of KcsA caused by variations in environmental parameters such as pH, voltage and also mutation in KcsA using planar bilayer and patch clamp channel recording techniques to improve our understanding on the functional aspect of gate activation of KcsA.</p>