Acid-sensing ion channels belong to a large family of ion channels, the diverse functions of which range from sodium absorption to mechanosensitivity; however, the structure of this class of proteins is unknown. Here, the high-resolution crystal structure of chicken ASIC1 in the closed state is reported, and of note is the trimeric architecture and the appealing mechanism of proton-gating proposed.
- Jayasankar Jasti
- Hiroyasu Furukawa
- Eric Gouaux