Dissecting the coupling between the voltage sensor and pore domains.

The gating mechanism of K(v) channels is not known. In this issue of Neuron, Soler-Llavina et al. present fascinating results that support the concept of relatively independent voltage-sensing modules. However, they also find that its interactions with the pore domain are rather complex, with specific S4-S5 intersubunit contacts underlying the concerted transition leading to the channel opening.