Superoxide Dismutase as a Model Ion Channel

摘要: Detailed information is now available on the biochemistry and physiology of ion channels; however, with certain exceptions such as gramicidin (Wallace, 1984), far less known about their structures. Moreover, atomic structures channels may continue to be unobtainable for several years. Consequently, it seems worthwhile consider how existing data nonmembrane proteins might used suggest structural aspects hence aid in design relevant biochemical physiological experiments. Two protein are particularly pertinent understanding possibilities membrane channels: existence nature deep invaginations external molecular surfaces proteins, role electrostatic forces precollision guidance ions. In this chapter, we use high-resolution structure Cu, Zn Superoxide dismutase (SOD) a model illustrate these features, but conclusions representative other our analysis make computer graphics techniques, which have been exceptionally successful display evaluation complex three-dimensional information.