Abstract.
The association of two gramicidin A (gA) peptides via H-bonds in lipid bilayers causes the formation of an ion channel that is selective for monovalent cations only. In this study, two gAs were covalently linked with a dioxolane group (SS dimer). Some functional properties of natural gA channels were compared to that synthetic dimer in Na+- or Cs+-containing solutions. The SS dimer remained in the open configuration most of the time, while natural gA channels had a relatively brief mean open time. Single channel conductances to Na+ (g Na ) or Cs+ (g Cs ) in the SS dimer were smaller than in natural gA. However, g Na was considerably more attenuated than g Cs . This probably results from a tight solvation of Na+ by the dioxolane linker in the SS channel. In Cs+ solutions, the SS had frequent closures. By contrast, in Na+ solutions the synthetic dimer remained essentially in the open state. The mean open times of SS channels in different solutions (T open,Na > T open,Cs > T open,H ) were inversely proportional to the single channel conductances (g H > g Cs > g Na ). This suggests that ion occupancy inside the pore stabilizes the open configuration of the gA dimer. The mean closed time of the SS dimer was longer in Cs+ than in H+ solutions. Possible mechanisms for these effects are discussed.
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Received: 17 September 1999/Revised: 21 December 1999
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Quigley, E., Crumrine, D. & Cukierman, S. Gating and Permeation in Ion Channels Formed by Gramicidin A and Its Dioxolane-linked Dimer in Na+ and Cs+ Solutions. J. Membrane Biol. 174, 207–212 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002320001045
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002320001045