Molecular mechanisms of ion conduction and ion selectivity in TMEM16 lipid scramblases

Abstract

TMEM16 lipid scramblases transport lipids and also operate as ion channels with highly variable ion selectivities and various physiological functions. Using computational electrophysiology simulations, the authors identify the main ion-conductive state of TMEM16 lipid scramblases and find that lipid headgroups modulate ion permeability and regulate ion selectivity of TMEM16 proteolipidic pores.