Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Mutagenesis and Functional Analysis of Ion Channels Heterologously Expressed in Mammalian Cells
Published on: October 2, 2010
[Molecular basis of ion selectivity based on crystalline structure of bacterial channels]
Piotr Koprowski1, Artur Furmanek, Andrzej Kubalski
1Zakład Biologii Komórki, Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. M. Nenckiego PAN w Warszawie.
Unlabelled:
The principles of ionic selectivity of the two crystallised bacterial ion channels are described. These channels are: the potassium channel KcsA, whose amino-acid sequence is homologous to the eukaryotic voltage--dependent potassium channels and the chloride channel EcClC that is a prokaryotic member of the ClC family of chloride channels.
In Conclusion:
although the overall molecular architecture of KcsA is different from that of EcClC, the selectivity filters in both cases show similarities. They both utilise helix dipoles organised within the channel molecule in such a fashion to produce electrostatically favourable environment for anions (in the case of EcClC) or cations (in the case of KcsA).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to the...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

