Functional reconstitution of protein ion channels into planar polymerizable phospholipid membranes.

Shenoy, Devanand K; Barger, William R; Singh, Alok; Panchal, Rekha G; Misakian, Martin; Stanford, Vincent M; Kasianowicz, John J · Nano Lett · 2005

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

We demonstrate that polymerizable planar membranes permit reconstitution of protein ion channels formed by the bacterial toxins Staphylococcus aureus alpha-hemolysin (alphaHL) and Bacillus anthracis protective antigen 63. The alphaHL channel remained functional even after membrane polymerization. Surface pressure measurements suggest that the ease of forming membranes depends on membrane surface elasticity estimated from Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer pressure-area isotherms. The ability to stabilize nanoscale pores in robust ultrathin films may prove useful in single molecule sensing applications.

Medical subject headings