ENERGETICS OF ION TRANSFER THROUGH SODIUM CHANNEL
Abstract
The crystal structure of the voltage-gated bacterial Nav channel obtained from Arcobacter butzleri fortunately [1]. Voltage-gated sodium channels are very important due to the onset of action potentials. Molecular dynamics modelling has been conducted to understand the structure-function relationship for this channel (as shown in figure 1). Using free energy methods, energetics of ion binding is studied and the binding energies and positions were obtained for Na+ ions in the filter. It has been known form the experimental data that Nav and
Cav channels are similar and Ca++ ions are permeating in the Nav channels. A potential of mean force calculation is performed for Ca++ ion through the channel axis of the Nav. As a result of this study we observed Ca++ ions have a higher binding affinity than that Na+. Based on these, we studied the potential of mean force for a Na+ ion in case of a Ca++ ion in the filter of the channel.
We concluded that if a single calcium ion binds to the specific location of the selectivity filter of the channel, it blocks sodium permeation through sodium channel by providing high energy barrier where the calcium locate in the selectivity filter.
Keywords
References
- Payandeh, J., Scheuer, T., Zheng, N. and Catterall W. A., Nature, 475, 353-359, (2011)
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
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Journal Section
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Publication Date
January 30, 2015
Submission Date
January 27, 2015
Acceptance Date
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Published in Issue
Year 2015 Volume: 2 Number: 2
