Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Measuring Nucleotide Binding to Intact, Functional Membrane Proteins in Real Time
Published on: March 11, 2021
Distinct gating mechanisms revealed by the structures of a multi-ligand gated K(+) channel
Chunguang Kong1, Weizhong Zeng, Sheng Ye
1Department of Physiology , University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas , United States.
Abstract:
The gating ring-forming RCK domain regulates channel gating in response to various cellular chemical stimuli in eukaryotic Slo channel families and the majority of ligand-gated prokaryotic K(+) channels and transporters. Here we present structural and functional studies of a dual RCK-containing, multi-ligand gated K(+) channel from Geobacter sulfurreducens, named GsuK. We demonstrate that ADP and NAD(+) activate the GsuK channel, whereas Ca(2+) serves as an allosteric inhibitor. Multiple crystal structures elucidate the structural basis of multi-ligand gating in GsuK, and also reveal a unique ion conduction pore with segmented inner helices. Structural comparison leads us to propose a novel pore opening mechanics that is distinct from other K(+) channels.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00184.001.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

