The Structure and Function of Voltage-Gated
potassium Channels

Topics to be covered:

(i) The diversity of voltage-gated potassium channels

(ii) Linear, or secondary structure of the voltage-gated potassium channel

(iii) Tertiary (3-D) structure of voltage-gated potassium channels

(iv) The molecular basis of selectivity, conduction, activation and inactivation

Primary Aims:

Relate the structure voltage-gated potassium channel to the functional properties of:
(1.) Conductance
(2.) Selectivity
(3.) Activation
(4.) Inactivation

"Learning objectives"
By the end of this lecture, you should be able to...

  1. Describe how hydrophobicity plots lead to the basic linear structure of the voltage gated potassium channel and how this has been confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis experiments.
  2. Reproduce the basic 3-D structure of a voltage gated potassium channel, and explain how that was derived.
  3. Provide an explanation for each of the following in terms of gross molecular structure: selectivity, activation and inactivation
  4. Give examples of functional similarities and differences amongst the family of voltage gated potassium channels.
  5. Give examples of functional and structural similarities between voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels.

There will be no requirement to memorise any particular sequences.