This is a view through the opening of the same potassium channel shown in Figure 3B. Notice that the inner core is lined with hydrophilic amino-acid residues (blue) that interact favorably with the charge on the ion (yellow). The outer areas of the channel contain hydrophobic amino-acid residues (plum), which interact favorably with the hydrophobic lipids in the membrane.

Note: The coordinates for this protein were determined by x-ray crystallography, and the image was rendered using SwissPDB Viewer and POV-Ray (see References).

Note: To view the molecule interactively, please use Chime, and click on the button to the left.