The determination of the ion selectivity of synthetic ion channels and pores in vesicles

Selective ion transportation through synthetic ion channels in polymeric membranes (which mimic natural systems, e.g. excitable cell membranes) is being reported through this article. The synthetic ion channels have been created by swift heavy ion irradiation of polymeric membranes followed by chemical etching. Since, the transportation of sodium and potassium ions of aqueous electrolytes through synthetic ion channels in polyethylene terephthalate depends on the electrophoretic forces present in the electrolyte; these ion channels are referred to as “voltage activated channels”. For a particular range of applied voltage, these channels behave as K-channels while they act as Na-channels in another voltage range. The channels have been found to switch between high and low conduction states referred to as opening and closing of ion channels with applied potential. A mechanism is being proposed to explain the voltage dependent ion selectivity of the channels in both closed and open states. Nonlinear dynamical analysis of ion transportation and current oscillations confirm its chaotic behavior. Their possible applications as ionic switches and ionic flip-flops are discussed.

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Use of the exciton chirality method in the investigation of ligand-gated synthetic ion channels

Chirality ◽

10.1002/chir.20221 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 91-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Naomi Sakai ◽

Pinaki Talukdar ◽

Stefan Matile

Keyword(s):

Ion Channels ◽

Synthetic Ion Channels

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Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Journal of Visualized Experiments ◽

10.3791/54732 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Benoîte Bourdin ◽

Emilie Segura ◽

Marie-Philippe Tétreault ◽

Sylvie Lesage ◽

Lucie Parent

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

Ion Channels ◽

Cell Surface

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Ion Channel Permeation and Selectivity

The Oxford Handbook of Neuronal Ion Channels ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190669164.013.22 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Juan J. Nogueira ◽

Ben Corry

Keyword(s):

Ion Channels ◽

Ion Channel ◽

Ion Selectivity ◽

Ionic Currents ◽

Biological Processes ◽

Ion Permeation ◽

Voltage Gated ◽

Physical Mechanisms ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

Mechanistic Insight

Many biological processes essential for life rely on the transport of specific ions at specific times across cell membranes. Such exquisite control of ionic currents, which is regulated by protein ion channels, is fundamental for the proper functioning of the cells. It is not surprising, therefore, that the mechanism of ion permeation and selectivity in ion channels has been extensively investigated by means of experimental and theoretical approaches. These studies have provided great mechanistic insight but have also raised new questions that are still unresolved. This chapter first summarizes the main techniques that have provided significant knowledge about ion permeation and selectivity. It then discusses the physical mechanisms leading to ion permeation and the explanations that have been proposed for ion selectivity in voltage-gated potassium, sodium, and calcium channels.

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