The mechanism by which potassium ions are transported through ion channels is currently being investigated by several groups using many different techniques. Clarification of the location of water molecules during transport is central to understanding how these integral membrane proteins function. Neutrons have a unique sensitivity to both hydrogen and potassium, rendering neutron crystallography capable of distinguishing waters from K⁺ ions. Here, the collection of a complete neutron data set from a potassium ion channel to a resolution of 3.55 Å using the Macromolecular Neutron Diffractometer (MaNDi) is reported. A room‐temperature X‐ray data set was also collected from the same crystal to a resolution of 2.50 Å. Upon further refinement, these results will help to further clarify the ion/water population within the selectivity filter of potassium ion channels.

中文翻译：

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钾离子通道结晶以及 X 射线和中子数据收集。


目前，多个研究小组正在使用多种不同的技术来研究钾离子通过离子通道传输的机制。澄清水分子在运输过程中的位置对于理解这些整合膜蛋白如何发挥作用至关重要。中子对氢和钾具有独特的敏感性，使得中子晶体学能够区分水和 K ⁺离子。在此，报告使用高分子中子衍射仪 (MaNDi) 从钾离子通道收集了分辨率为 3.55 Å 的完整中子数据集。还从同一晶体收集了分辨率为 2.50 Å 的室温 X 射线数据集。经过进一步细化，这些结果将有助于进一步澄清钾离子通道选择性过滤器内的离子/水群体。