Ion Channels Formed by Small Proteins from Viruses

Movements of ions across cell membranes through protein ion channels are essential for normal cell function. We have found that some small proteins from viruses can form ion channels. Studying these simple channels should give us clues about the function of more complex channels, such as those in the brain, as well as giving us information about the viruses themselves. We will test whether a small protein from Ross River virus forms ion channels and will also test the effects of selected mutations in proteins from influenza and AIDS viruses that we have shown previously to form ion channels.