Biophysics

Structure and function of K+ channels (more about ½ Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2003)

November 21, 2003.

Lecturer

ANA JERONČIĆ
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Education, University of Split

Date and time

Thursday, November 27, 2003 at 2 p.m.

Location

Lecture Hall, III Wing, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb

Abstract

Ion channels have always fascinated scientists, not only with their function, but also with the spectacular mechanism of ion transport through the membrane. Most ion channels show very high specificity for individual ions. In cases where the ions differ slightly in Pauling radii (Na+ 95pm and K+ 133pm) the large difference in specificity is surprising. However, once the channel opens, substrate ions diffuse through it almost at the rate of free diffusion (~107 ion channel-1 s-1). Furthermore, the opening of ion channels is an extremely fast process that leads to significant changes in the spatial structure of the channels. Laureate of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Dr. Roderick MacKinnon, through his series of works on the spatial structures of bacterial K+ channels, was able to shed light on the molecular basis of ion selectivity and gating of K+ channels, as well as to model domain interactions that precede the opening of the pore. This opened up new possibilities for detailed biochemical, biophysical and theoretical studies of channel function. This lecture will systematically present the basic problems MacKinnock encountered in his research, his results, and their potential for future research.

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