Glycine as a D-amino acid surrogate in the K+-selectivity filter

The K+ channel-selectivity filter consists of two absolutely conserved glycine residues. Crystal structures show that the first glycine in the selectivity filter, Gly-77 in KcsA, is in a left-handed helical conformation. Although the left-handed helical conformation is not favorable for the naturally occurring L-amino acids, it is favorable for the chirally opposite D-amino acids. Here, we demonstrate that Gly-77 can be replaced by D-Ala with almost complete retention of function. In contrast, substitution with an L-amino acid results in a nonfunctional channel. This finding suggests that glycine is used as a surrogate D-amino acid in the selectivity filter. The absolute conservation of glycine in the K+-selectivity filter can be explained as a result of glycine being the only natural amino acid that can play this role.