Salt bridges between positively charged residues within the S4 transmembrane segment of the voltage-sensing potassium channel, Shaker, and acidic residues in S2 and S3 segments are not necessary during channel gating; rather, two of the acidic residues may occupy a hydrophilic water-filled vestibule that creates an energetically favorable environment for S4 movement during channel gating.
- Stephan A Pless
- Jason D Galpin
- Christopher A Ahern
