About the Cover
Cover picture: Two possible mechanisms for the interaction
between voltage sensor activation and ion channel opening. In the
direct coupling mechanism (left), voltage-sensor movement (- to +) is
linked directly to subunit confrontational changes that gate the pore.
In the allosteric coupling mechanism (right), channel opening involves
a quaternary rearrangement of subunits where voltage-sensor activation
affects subunit-subunit interactions. The behavior of a Ca2+-activated
K+ channel (MSlo) is consistent with the allosteric mechanism.
See related article by Horrigan, F.T., J. Cui, and R.W. Aldrich, in
this issue, pp. 277-304.
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