A voltage sensor-domain protein is a voltage-gated proton channel

Science. 2006 Apr 28;312(5773):589-92. doi: 10.1126/science.1122352. Epub 2006 Mar 23.

Abstract

Voltage-gated proton channels have been widely observed but have not been identified at a molecular level. Here we report that a four-transmembrane protein similar to the voltage-sensor domain of voltage-gated ion channels is a voltage-gated proton channel. Cells overexpressing this protein showed depolarization-induced outward currents accompanied by tail currents. Current reversal occured at equilibrium potentials for protons. The currents exhibited pH-dependent gating and zinc ion sensitivity, two features which are characteristic of voltage-gated proton channels. Responses of voltage dependence to sequence changes suggest that mouse voltage-sensor domain-only protein is itself a channel, rather than a regulator of another channel protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Ciona intestinalis
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Ion Channel Gating*
  • Ion Channels / chemistry*
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / physiology*
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protons*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Protons

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB218779