TonB dependent/Ligand-Gated channels are created by a monomeric 22 strand (22,24) anti-parallel beta-barrel. Ligands apparently bind to the large extracellular loops. The N-terminal 150-200 residues form a plug from the periplasmic end of barrel. Energy (proton-motive force) and TonB-dependent conformational alteration of channel (parts of plug, and loops 7 and 8) allow passage of ligand. FepA residues 12-18 form the TonB box, which mediates the interaction with the TonB-containing inner membrane complex. TonB preferentially interacts with ligand-bound receptors. Transport thru the channel may resemble passage thru an air lock. In this model, ligand binding leads to closure of the extracellular end of pore, then a TonB-mediated signal facillitates opening of the interior side of pore, deforming the N-terminal plug and allowing passage of the ligand to the periplasm. Such a mechanism would prevent the free diffusion of small molecules thru the pore.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",