Structural basis of allosteric interactions among Ca2+-binding sites in a K+ channel RCK domain.
F.J.Smith,
V.P.Pau,
G.Cingolani,
B.S.Rothberg.
ABSTRACT
Ligand binding sites within proteins can interact by allosteric mechanisms to
modulate binding affinities and control protein function. Here we present
crystal structures of the regulator of K(+) conductance (RCK) domain from a K(+)
channel, MthK, which reveal the structural basis of allosteric coupling between
two Ca(2+) regulatory sites within the domain. Comparison of RCK domain crystal
structures in a range of conformations and with different numbers of regulatory
Ca(2+) ions bound, combined with complementary electrophysiological analysis of
channel gating, suggests chemical interactions that are important for modulation
of ligand binding and subsequent channel opening.