Permeability enhancement of the KcsA channel under radiation of a terahertz wave

Potassium ion channels are essential elements in cellular electrical excitability and help maintain a resting potential in nonexcitable cells. Their universality is based on a unique combination of strong selectivity for K+ ions and near-diffusion-limited permeation efficiency. Understanding how the channel regulates the ion conduction would be instructive to the treatment of ion channelopathies. In this work, by means of molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the significantly enhanced permeation of KcsA channel in reaction to an external terahertz wave, due to the effective response of the K+ ions in the selectivity filter regions of the channel. Compared to the case without external terahertz wave, a fourfold increase in the ion current through the channel is found.

Automated summary

Potassium ion channels play a crucial role in cellular electrical excitability and maintaining resting potential. This study demonstrates that an external terahertz wave can enhance the permeation efficiency of the KcsA channel through the effective response of K+ ions.