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Studying Structural Dynamics of Potassium Channels by Single-Molecule FRET

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Potassium Channels

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1684))

Abstract

Single-molecule FRET (smFRET) can visualize conformational dynamics of individual ion channels in lipid bilayers of defined composition. Dynamic and distance measurements from smFRET, combined with single channel recordings, can provide previously unattainable direct mechanistic insights into ion channel function and modulation. smFRET measurements require site-specific fluorophore labeling between two distinct sites, which is a major challenge for multimeric ion channels. This chapter aims to provide a step-by-step protocol: (1) to design concatemeric constructs with only two cysteine residues within a homotetrameric channel; (2) to express, purify, label, and reconstitute channel proteins; (3) to perform smFRET imaging on channel proteins in liposomes with an objective-based Total Internal Reflection (TIRF) microscope; and finally (4) to analyze the FRET distributions and dynamics that reflect the dynamic conformational transitions of ion channels in membranes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Silva for his help at early state in constructing the TIRF microscope for smFRET measurements, and Dr. William Stump for his help in developing the script converting imaging files. The chapter was written by S.W., and edited by J.B. and C.N.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Shizhen Wang, Joshua B. Brettmann & Colin G. Nichols

Authors
  1. Shizhen Wang
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  2. Joshua B. Brettmann
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  3. Colin G. Nichols
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Shizhen Wang or Colin G. Nichols .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    Show-Ling Shyng

  2. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    Francis I. Valiyaveetil

  3. The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA

    Matt Whorton

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Wang, S., Brettmann, J.B., Nichols, C.G. (2018). Studying Structural Dynamics of Potassium Channels by Single-Molecule FRET. In: Shyng, SL., Valiyaveetil, F., Whorton, M. (eds) Potassium Channels. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1684. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7362-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7362-0_13

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7361-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7362-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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