Title: Fast Inactivation of Voltage-Gated K(+) Channels: From Cartoon to Structure.

Authors: Antz, Fakler, Christoph Antz, Bernd Fakler

Journal, date & volume: News Physiol. Sci., 1998 Aug , 13, 177-182

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11390785

Abstract
Fast inactivation of voltage-gated potassium (K(v)) channels is the best understood gating transition in ion channels and is brought about by an NH(2)-terminal domain (ball domain) of the channel's alpha-subunit, which physically blocks the open pore. Recent analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that ball domains from various K(v) channels exhibit well-defined but distinct structures in aqueous solution.