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Science 10 November 2006:
Vol. 314. no. 5801, p. 889
DOI: 10.1126/science.314.5801.889k
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Ion channel proteins form pores in the membranes of cells and are regulated by voltage or small messenger molecules to control information flow to and from cells. The K+ channel, important for the excitability of nerve cells, conducts only K+ ions, while completely excluding a smaller ion, Na+. Valiyaveetil et al. (p. 1004) show that this selectivity is accomplished in two ways: In the presence of K+, the pore remains open and conductive, but collapses when K+ concentrations are low, excluding Na+. In addition, in the conductive state, the pore is lined with multiple binding sites that are specific for K+.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)