Oligomerization at the membrane potassium channel structure and function

Abstract

Cell membranes present a naturally impervious barrier to aqueous solutes, such that the physiochemical environment on either side of the lipid bilayer can substantially differ. Integral membrane proteins are embedded in this heterogeneous lipid environment, wherein the juxtaposition of apolar and polar molecular surfaces defines factors such as transverse orientation, the surface area available for oligomerisation and the symmetry of resultant assemblies. This chapter focuses on potassium channels representative molecular pores that play a critical role in electrical signalling by enabling selective transport of K+ ions across cell membranes. Oligomerization is central to K + channel action;..