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Distinct interactions of Na+ and Ca2+ ions with the selectivity filter of the bacterial sodium channel Na(V)Ab
Song Ke1, Eva-Maria Zangerl, Anna Stary-Weinzinger
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA 2, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. song.ke@univie.ac.at
Abstract:
Rapid and selective ion transport is essential for the generation and regulation of electrical signaling pathways in living organisms. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations to investigate how the bacterial sodium channel Na(V)Ab (Arcobacter butzleri) differentiates between Na(+) and Ca(2+) ions. Multiple nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations revealed distinct binding patterns for these two cations in the selectivity filter and suggested a high affinity calcium binding site formed by backbone atoms of residues Leu-176 and Thr-175 (S(CEN)) in the sodium channel selectivity filter.
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