DrosophilaFLICKR, IMAGE EDITOR
For the first time, researchers have captured the 3D crystal structure of a sodium channel. In addition to revealing similar features to the well-characterized calcium channel, the sodium channel contains several hydrophobic channels that could regulate how local anesthetics and other hydrophobic molecules work.
J. Payandeh, et. al, “The crystal structure of a voltage-gated sodium channel,” Nature, 10.1038/nature10238, 2011. Free F1000 evaluation.
2. G-coupled proteins unveiled Researchers used a series of techniques to reveal the structure of a G-protein coupled receptor, called the beta-2 adrenergic receptor-Gs protein complex, which belongs to a class of receptors that drives cellular responses to hormones and plays a role in sight, smell, and taste. The receptor's crystal structure reveals a specific surface of the ...
