Prototype acetylcholine channel geometry

The acetylcholine (ACh) receptor channel is one of the most important membranepores that assist in two key physiological functions in the nervous system: muscle contraction and neuronal communication. In this paper, a realistic channel geometry is utilized to calculate the electrostatic potential in the ACh channel. The ACh channel has been modeled as an oversimplified cylindrical pore or as a toroidal catenary. However, various degrees of uncertainty associated with using those models have been well documented. Using the channel geometry, we calculate the electrostatic potential in the ACh channel and study its ramifications. Our model mimics the essential biological features of the ACh channel and provides valuable insights into the selectivity properties of the channel.