Structural changes of the KcsA potassium channel upon application of the electrode potential studied by surface-enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy

Akira Yamakata, Hirofumi Shimizu, Masatoshi Osawa, Shigetoshi Oiki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Structural changes of the KcsA potassium channel fixed on gold electrode surface in the upright orientation were studied by surface-enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS). Measurements were performed at neutral pH, where the activation gate is kept closed. Band intensities were enhanced for the asymmetric (1565 cm-1) and symmetric (1405 cm-1) OCO-carboxylate groups at negative electrode potentials in the K+ solution, but not in the Na+ solution. Even for the reverse-oriented channel, the enhanced OCO-carboxylate band was evident at negative potential. When TBA was loaded in the central cavity, the K+-specific OCO band was not elicited. These results indicate that the negative electrode potential renders the local K+ concentration accumulated at the vicinity of the electrode surface, and the KcsA channel bathed in high K+ changes conformation of the selectivity filter from the collapsed to the open, and OCO-carboxylate groups (D80 and E71) in the back of the filter were rearranged. Crown

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)224-228
Number of pages5
JournalChemical Physics
Volume419
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrochemistry
  • KcsA potassium channel
  • Potassium-induced structure changes
  • Surface-enhanced ir absorption spectroscopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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