MECHANISM OF ION TRANSPORT THROUGH MEMBRANE CHANNELS

在分子水平上离子传输的化学是 只能用非常笼统的术语来理解。这项研究的目的是 是提高对快速和选择性离子的认识 跨膜通道在分子水平上的转运 水平。Gricicidin通道家族是一个强大的系统 研究离子、蛋白质和脂质之间的相互作用 在运输过程中。Graicidin家族代表着一种 已知结构的相关系列多肽，其中特定的 可极化的结构和具体位置的变化 取代基可以与通道选择性，稳定性， 脂类依赖性和转运特性。网络的优势 Gramiidin家族包括：理想的单价选择性 阳离子，部分阳离子专一性，单列 特点、其普遍接受的结构、可用性 天然的和合成的类似物，以及对 天然构象和类似构象的等价性。这项研究 将讨论以下基本步骤的化学控制 使用动态法和平衡法的运输。站点- Granicidin通道的特定修改将用于 (一)研究渠道性质和结构功能 关系，以及(Ii)设计可扩展的新分子特征 母体分子的功能。预计结果将是 揭示管理离子传输的一般原理 生物跨膜通道，一个重要的过程 用于蜂窝间通信和信号传输 神经系统。

The chemistry of ion transport at the molecular level is understood only in quite general terms. The aim of this research is to enhance the understanding of rapid and selective ion transport through transmembrane channels at the molecular level. The gramicidin family of channels is a powerful system for investigating the interactions among ion, protein and lipid during the transport process. The gramicidin family represents a related series of peptides of known structure, in which specific changes in structure and the specific placement of polarizable substituents can be correlated with channel selectivity, stability, lipid dependence and transport properties. Advantages of the gramicidin family include: ideal selectivity for monovalent cations, partial intercationic specificity, single-file characteristics, its generally accepted structure, the availability of natural and synthetic analogues, and a sensitive assay for the equivalence of native and analogue conformations. This research will address the chemical control of the elementary steps of transport using both kinetic and equilibrium techniques. Site- specific modifications of the gramicidin channel will be used to (i) investigate channel properties and structure-function relationships, and (ii) design new molecular features that extend the function of the parent molecule. The results are expected to reveal general principles that govern ion transport through biological transmembrane channels, a process that is important for intercellular communication and for signal transmission in the nervous system.