Structural basis underlying the dual gate properties of KcsA

KcsA is a prokaryotic pH-dependent potassium (K) channel. Its activation, by a decrease in the intracellular pH, is coupled with its subsequent inactivation, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we have investigated the conformational changes and equilibrium of KcsA by using solution NMR spectroscopy. Controlling the temperature and pH of KcsA samples produced three distinct methyl-TROSY and NOESY spectra, corresponding to the resting, activated, and inactivated states. The pH-dependence of the signals from the extracellular side was affected by the mutation of H25 on the intracellular side, indicating the coupled conformational changes of the extracellular and intracellular gates. K+ titration and NOE experiments revealed that the inactivated state was obtained by the replacement of K+ with H2O, which may interfere with the K+-permeation. This structural basis of the activation-coupled inactivation is closely related to the C-type inactivation of other K channels.