Cell 147: 199–208 (September 30, 2011)
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Cell 147: 199–208
Crystal Structure of the Mammalian GIRK2 K+ Channel and Gating Regulation by G Proteins, PIP2, and Sodium
Matthew R. Whorton and Roderick MacKinnon
Here, we present the first crystal structures of a G protein-gated K+ channel. By comparing the wild-type structure to that of a constitutively active mutant, we identify a global conformational change through which G proteins could open a G loop gate in the cytoplasmic domain. These data provide a structural basis for understanding multiligand regulation of GIRK channel gating.
