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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Voltage-Controlled Enzymes: The New Janus Bifrons, Carlos A. Villalba-Galea
Voltage-Controlled Enzymes: The New Janus Bifrons, Carlos A. Villalba-Galea
School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles
The Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensitive phosphatase, Ci-VSP, was the first Voltage-controlled Enzyme (VEnz) proven to be under direct command of the membrane potential. The discovery of Ci-VSP conjugated voltage sensitivity and enzymatic activity in a single protein. These two facets of Ci-VSP activity have provided a unique model for studying how membrane potential is sensed by proteins and a novel mechanism for control of enzymatic activity. These facets make Ci-VSP a fascinating and versatile enzyme. Ci-VSP has a voltage sensing domain (VSD) that resembles those found in voltage-gated channels (VGC). The VSD resides in the N-terminus and is formed by four …