K+-dependent selectivity and external Ca2+ block of shab K+ channels

Abstract

Potassium channels allow the selective flux of K+ excluding the smaller, and more abundant in the extracellular solution, Na+ ions. Here we show that Shab is a typical K+ channel that excludes Na+ under bi-ionic, Nao/Ki or Nao/Rbi, conditions. However, when internal K+ is replaced by Cs+ (Nao/Csi), stable inward Na+ and outward Cs+ currents are observed. These currents show that Shab selectivity is not accounted for by protein structural elements alone, as implicit in the snug-fit model of selectivity. Additionally, here we report the block of Shab channels by external Ca2+ ions, and compare the effect that internal K+ replacement exerts on both Ca2+ and TEA block. Our observations indicate that Ca2+ blocks the channels at a site located near the external TEA binding site, and that this pore region changes conformation under conditions that allow Na+ permeation. In contrast, the latter ion conditions do not significantly affect the binding of quinidine to the pore central cavity. Based on our observations and the structural information derived from the NaK bacterial channel, we hypothesize that Ca2+ is probably coordinated by main chain carbonyls of the porés first K+-binding site.