Protein-Mediated Mechanisms of Variable Ion Conductance in Thin Lipid Membranes,

摘要

Among the many substances that have now been found to modify the high resistance of the lipid bilayer membrane to develop conductances more analogous to those of membranes in living cells,only a few have been macromolecular or protein. Extensive evidence of the potential value of protein ion conducting channels in excitable membrane mechanisms has been developed in studies of the activity of EIM,or 'excitability inducing material',in lipid bilayer systems. This material provides diversified electrical properties in thin membranes. The paper explores the variable conductance properties of the EIM membrane and examines the molecular basis for these properties of an 'excitable'membrane.