Title: Alteration of voltage-dependence of Shaker potassium channel by mutations in the S4 sequence.

Authors: D M Papazian, L C Timpe, Y N Jan, L Y Jan

Journal, date & volume: Nature, 1991 Jan 24 , 349, 305-10

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1846229

Abstract
Voltage-dependent potassium, sodium and calcium ion channels may share a common mechanism of activation, in which the conserved S4 sequence acts as the primary voltage sensor. Site-directed mutagenesis of the S4 sequence of the Shaker potassium channel and electrophysiological analysis suggest that voltage-dependent activation involves the S4 sequence but is not solely due to electrostatic interactions.