Base of Pore Loop Is Important for Rectification, Activation, Permeation, and Block of Kir3.1/Kir3.4

AbstractThe Kir3.1/Kir3.4 channel is an inward rectifier, agonist-activated K+ channel. The location of the binding site within the channel pore that coordinates polyamines (and is thus responsible for inward rectification) and the location of the gate that opens the channel in response to agonist activation is unclear. In this study, we show, not surprisingly, that mutation of residues at the base of the selectivity filter in the pore loop and second transmembrane domain weakens Cs+ block and decreases selectivity (as measured by Rb+ and spermine permeation). However, unexpectedly, the mutations also weaken inward rectification and abolish agonist activation of the channel. In the wild-type channel and 34 mutant channels, there are significant (p