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Cover Image
Cover Image
Close ModalON THE COVER An artistic portrait of the fast-paced progress in the field of ion channels. The origami-style depiction of the cross-section of a representative pentameric ligand-gated ion channel in its natural phospho-lipid-membrane environment is shown at the bottom. The stack of papers with published ion-channel structures, electrophysiological recordings, proposed kinetic mechanisms, and molecular simulations symbolizes the abundant data produced thus far and the pressing need to bridge the (often deep) gap between them. The theme of this cover image is the celebration of the scientific achievements made by all the scientists working in this field. The cover image was composed by Yuhang Wang, Emad Tajkhorshid, and Claudio Grosman. See page 1119.
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Research News
A new model for an old friend
JGP study suggests the anion exchanger AE1 operates via an elevator-like mechanism.
Commentary
An atypical CaV1.1 mutation reveals a common mechanism for hypokalemic periodic paralysis
Cannon reviews new evidence supporting a key role for anomalous inward currents in the etiology of hypokalemic periodic paralysis.
Review
The structural basis of ryanodine receptor ion channel function
Meissner reviews progress toward our understanding of ryanodine receptor structure and function.
Viewpoint
Analysis of the quality of crystallographic data and the limitations of structural models
Arkhipova et al. caution that the limitations of structural models be taken into account when interpreting crystallographic data.
Article
A common mechanism for CFTR potentiators
VX-770 is a potentiator of the CFTR channel and an approved therapy for cystic fibrosis. Yeh et al. find that the apparent affinity of a new potentiator, GLPG1837, is state dependent and propose an allosteric modulation model to explain the potency and efficacy of CFTR potentiators.
Chasing the open-state structure of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels
Members of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel family have been crystallized in different conformations, including one in which the transmembrane pore is surprisingly wide. Gonzalez-Gutierrez et al. show that the open-channel conformation of animal members is more similar to the models with narrow pores.
Na leak with gating pore properties in hypokalemic periodic paralysis V876E mutant muscle Ca channel
The V876E mutation in the muscle voltage-gated Ca2+ channel induces hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Fuster et al. show that the mutation generates strong resting inward leak Na+ currents even though it is not located in the voltage sensor segments.
Hypothesis
Asymmetry of inverted-topology repeats in the AE1 anion exchanger suggests an elevator-like mechanism
Anion exchanger 1 catalyzes the transmembrane antiport of chloride and bicarbonate ions through a mechanism that has remained unclear. By modeling its inward-facing state and comparing it with the known outward-facing form, Ficici et al. hypothesize that this transporter features an elevator-like mechanism.
