Microsoft Word - 2013 02-28 Labriola et al revised .docx

Background: The lipid sensitivity of the prokaryotic pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC), GLIC, is poorly characterized. Results: GLIC is more thermally stable and does not exhibit the same propensity to adopt an uncoupled conformation as the Torpedo nAChR. Conclusions: GLIC is less sensitive to its surrounding membrane environment. Significance: The GLIC and nAChR structures suggest molecular features governing the lipid sensitivity of pLGICs.