Structural model of the CaV1.2 pore

Understanding the structure and functional mechanisms of voltage - gated calcium channels remains a major task in membrane biophysics. In the absence of three dimensional structures, homology modeling techniques are the method of choice, to address questions concerning the structure of these channels. We have developed models of the open Ca(V)1.2 pore, based on the crystal structure of the mammalian voltage - gated potassium channel K(V)1.2 and a model of the bacterial sodium channel NaChBac. Our models are developed to be consistent with experimental data and modeling criteria. The models highlight major differences between voltage - gated potassium and calcium channels in the P segments, as well as the inner pore helices. Molecular dynamics simulations support the hypothesis of a clockwise domain arrangement and experimental observations of asymmetric calcium channel behavior. In the accompanying paper these models were used to study structural effects of a channelopathy mutation.