Liposomer och Plana Lipidmembran med den Nikotinlika Acetylklinreceptorn (Liposomes and Planar Lipid Membranes with the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor).

摘要

There are many components in the cell membranes of biological cells, which should be exploitable as sensing elements in instruments for detection and analysis (biosensors). The work within the biosensor project at FOA aims at developing methods, which permits the realization of membrane based biosensors. These are primarily intended for detection and identification of toxins. One interesting membrane protein in this context is the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Many toxins bind to and exert their toxic actions via this protein. We have thus purified the receptor. Incorporated it in small fat particles (liposomes) and characterized it. The receptor in its lipidic environment has been transferred to planar solid materials such as platinum and silicon slides. The composition of the lipids surrounding the receptor was shown to be of importance not only for retaining the biological activity of the receptor but also for the formation of and the stability in the planar membrane. Such planar membranes were also prepared on the surface in a commercial, optical biosensor instrument. The binding of a snake toxin, a-bungarotoxin, could be followed continuously.