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Article: Histidine and tryptophan side chains involved in M2 proton channels.
- Article from:
- Drug Week
- Article date:
- November 28, 2003
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2003 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The histidine and tryptophan side chains play roles in the M2 proton channel from the influenza A virus.
According to recent research from Japan, "The M2 protein form influenza A virus forms a tetrameric ion channel, which enables proton passage across biological membranes when the N-terminal side is acidified. Among the amino acid residues in the transmembrane domain of the M2 protein, His37 and Trp41 are essential for the pH-regulated proton conductance."
"Current knowledge about the structures and interactions of His37 and Trp41 suggests a model for the M2 ion channel, in which the channel is closed by a ...