Crystal structure of the human two-pore domain potassium channel K2P1

Science. 2012 Jan 27;335(6067):432-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1213274.

Abstract

Two-pore domain potassium (K(+)) channels (K2P channels) control the negative resting potential of eukaryotic cells and regulate cell excitability by conducting K(+) ions across the plasma membrane. Here, we present the 3.4 angstrom resolution crystal structure of a human K2P channel, K2P1 (TWIK-1). Unlike other K(+) channel structures, K2P1 is dimeric. An extracellular cap domain located above the selectivity filter forms an ion pathway in which K(+) ions flow through side portals. Openings within the transmembrane region expose the pore to the lipid bilayer and are filled with electron density attributable to alkyl chains. An interfacial helix appears structurally poised to affect gating. The structure lays a foundation to further investigate how K2P channels are regulated by diverse stimuli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / chemistry*
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry

Substances

  • KCNK1 protein, human
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Potassium

Associated data

  • PDB/3UKM