Entrance of Channel Determines Ion Permeation Rate through the Kv1.2 Channel

Abstract

Ion permeation through ion channels is essential for life. Since the determination of the x-ray crystal structure of the K⁺ channel, extensive molecular dynamics (MD) studies have been performed to visualize ion permeation through the channel. However, the mechanism underlying how the experimentally measured current amplitudes are determined still remains elusive. Here, we examined the MD-simulated trajectories of ion permeation through the Kv1.2 channel by developing a method analyzing the dynamics of ions. The analysis clarified that the entrance of ions into the channel determines the permeation rate.