Structure and function of Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus-1 encoded K+ channel Kcv

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gerhard Thiel
• Subject Area: Plant Physiology
• Term: from 2002 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5366982

Kcv is the first K+ channel found in a virus. It is also the smallest and most primitive of all known K+ channels. The 94 amino acid lon peptide is encoded by the double stranded DNA virus PBVC-1 and is essential for viral replication. In heterologous expression systems the protein shows characteristic features known from other more complex K+ channels. These include ion selectivity, voltage dependency and selective block. The combination of structural simplicity and functional complexity makes this channel a promising model system for the detection of minimal structural requirements of functional K+ channels. For this purpose we will exploit the known high selective pressure exerted on viral genomes, which has given rise to a broad family of naturally occurring K+ channel homologues. Molecular analysis and electrophysiological characterization of the homologues will identify conserved residues/domains, which constitute hallmarks of diverse channel functions and structure.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants