The VDAC channel: Molecular basis for selectivity

An Ingenious Filter: the Structural Basis for Ion Channel Selectivity

channel from Streptomyces lividans, was readily overex-pressed in bacteria (Schrempf et al., 1995). Its primary sequence is related to the class of ion-selective channels called inwardly rectifying channels, as evidenced by the presence of two putative transmembrane helices with the ion selectivity–determining P region residing Neurobiology has taken a giant step forward: we know, between them ...

The structure of the potassium channel: molecular basis of K+ conduction and selectivity.

The potassium channel from Streptomyces lividans is an integral membrane protein with sequence similarity to all known K+ channels, particularly in the pore region. X-ray analysis with data to 3.2 angstroms reveals that four identical subunits create an inverted teepee, or cone, cradling the selectivity filter of the pore in its outer end. The narrow selectivity filter is only 12 angstroms long...

Molecular basis for the differential interaction of plant mitochondrial VDAC proteins with tRNAs

In plants, the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) is a major component of a pathway involved in transfer RNA (tRNA) translocation through the mitochondrial outer membrane. However, the way in which VDAC proteins interact with tRNAs is still unknown. Potato mitochondria contain two major mitochondrial VDAC proteins, VDAC34 and VDAC36. These two proteins, composed of a N-terminal α-...

Structural basis of the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel VDAC I

Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides block the VDAC channel.

Proapoptotic phosphorothioate oligonucleotides such as G3139 (an 18-mer) induce Bcl-2-independent apoptosis, perhaps partly via direct interaction with VDAC and reduction of metabolite flow across the mitochondrial outer membrane. Here, we analyzed the interactions at the molecular level. Ten micromolar G3139 induces rapid flickering of the VDAC conductance and, occasionally, a complete conduct...