Stoichiometry and specific assembly of Best ion channels
Bharill, S., Fu, Z., Palty, R., Isacoff, E.Y. 2014, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Abstract
Human Bestrophin (hBest) proteins represent a four-member family of calcium-activated chloride channels that regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic activity and retinal homeostasis. The number of subunits in a hBest channel and the ability to form heteromeric channels have been matters of debate. Using single molecule subunit analysis, we find that each of the hBest channels forms a homotetrameric channel. Despite considerable conservation among hBests, the members have little or no tendency to hetero-assemble. We identify the domain responsible for homo-assembly specificity.