To probe structure and gating-associated conformational changes in BK-type potassium (BK) channels, we examined consequences of Cd 2+ coordination with cysteines introduced at two positions in the BK inner pore. At V319C, the equivalent of valine in the conserved Kv proline-valine-proline (PVP) motif, Cd 2+ forms intrasubunit coordination with a native glutamate E321, which would place the side chains of V319C and E321 much closer together than observed in voltage-dependent K + (Kv) channel structures, requiring that the proline between V319C and E321 introduces a kink in the BK S6 inner helix sharper than that observed in Kv channel structures. At inner pore position A316C, Cd 2+ binds with modest state dependence, suggesting the absence of an ion permeation gate at the cytosolic side of BK channel. These results highlight fundamental structural differences between BK and Kv channels in their inner pore region, which likely underlie differences in voltagedependent gating between these channels.H ow transmembrane potential influences the opening and closing of ion channels, a process known as gating, is central to understanding how cellular excitability is regulated (1). For voltage-dependent K + (Kv) channels, functional (2-4) and crystallographic (5, 6) studies have led to a compelling model of gating. In this model there are two key elements, both of which arise from properties of the cytosolic end of Kv channels: a cytosolic ion permeation gate formed by an interlaced arrangement of S6 inner helices termed the bundle crossing (2, 3), and a kink produced by the conserved proline-valine-proline (PVP) motif (Fig. 1A, boxed residues) to allow the C terminus of Kv S6 to form extensive contact with the S4-S5 linker (5, 6). Thus, the outward movement of the voltage sensors (VSDs) induced by transmembrane depolarization is thought to be transmitted to S6 through the S4-S5 linker to open the cytosolic ion permeation gate (6-8), and this enables access of cytosolic K + ions to the Kv inner pore region.Although this model is generally accepted for Kv channel gating, it is not clear to what extent it applies to other K + channels. For example, the large conductance, Ca 2+ -activated K + (BK or Slo1) channel shares with Kv channels a similar set of four VSDs attached to a central pore and gate domain (PGD), such that both channels are voltage dependent (9). However, unlike that of Kv channels, the inner pore of a closed BK channels is accessible to large molecules such as quaternary ammonium (QA) blockers (10, 11) and methanethiosulfonate ethyltrimethylammonium (MTSET) (12), indicating that the cytosolic end of a closed BK channel cannot completely occlude K + flow; this indicates that a gate extracellular to that proposed for Kv channels is required to securely prevent K + flow in a closed BK channel. As a corollary, the underlying structural and conformational details required to couple VSD activation to channel opening may differ between BK and Kv channels.To provide new insight into differences between BK and Kv in t...