What makes a gate? The ins and outs of Kv-like K+ channels in plants

Dreyer, I. and Blatt, M.R. (2009) What makes a gate? The ins and outs of Kv-like K+ channels in plants. Trends in Plant Science, 14(7), pp. 383-390. (doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2009.04.001)

Abstract

Gating of K+ and other ion channels is 'hard-wired' within the channel protein. So it remains a puzzle how closely related channels in plants can show an unusually diverse range of biophysical properties. Gating of these channels lies at the heart of K+ mineral nutrition, signalling, abiotic and biotic stress responses in plants. Thus, our knowledge of the molecular mechanics underpinning K+ channel gating will be important for rational engineering of related traits in agricultural crops. Several key studies have added significantly to our understanding of channel gating in plants and have challenged current thinking about analogous processes found in animal K+ channels. Such studies highlight how much of K+ channel gating remains to be explored in plants

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Blatt, Professor Michael
• Authors: Dreyer, I., and Blatt, M.R.
• Subjects: Q Science > QK Botany; Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Journal Name: Trends in Plant Science
• ISSN: 1360-1385
• Published Online: 17 June 2009