Solution conformation of valinomycin-potassium ion complex.

The complete conformation of the valinomycin-potassium ion complex in methanol is presented. Extension from the reported secondary structure requires arguments and data relating to ester orientation, direction of coiling, side-chain orientation, and conformational stability. Conformation of the valinomycin-potassium ion complex provides a clear-cut example in which elucidation of conformation is sufficient to gain an understanding of molecular function which, in this case, is selective ion transport by a carrier mechanism.