Exciting new findings shed light on the interaction between the protein calmodulin and an ion channel in the eye, potentially unlocking the secret behind our eyes' exceptional sensitivity to low light conditions. Utilizing cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, a team of researchers from
Researchers deciphered the structure of an ion channel from the rod cells of the eye while it interacts with the protein calmodulin . This interaction is important to the function not only of the ion channel in the eye, but also of ion channels in other parts of the body such as the heart. Credit: Paul Scherrer Institute / Dina Schuster
A team led by PSI scientist, Jacopo Marino, has now improved our understanding of how a tiny protein called calmodulin helps to achieve this, by interacting with ion channels in the rod cells. Calmodulin is a calcium sensor. It enables the cell to respond to calcium fluctuations – one of the cell’s universal means of communication.
The researchers believe that this is nature’s way of holding the channels closed. What would the purpose of this be? “We think it’s a way to reduce spontaneous channel openings that would cause background noise so that our eyes can be sensitive to dim light,” says Marino.Obtaining the structure of calmodulin and the ion channel binding was not easy. The interaction between calmodulin and Rod CNG occurs in a highly flexible region of the channel, where it is free to swing about.
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