Biomimetic ion transport: on the mechanism of ion transport by an artificial ion channel mimic

Abstract

The influx of cations into vesicles mediated by a synthetic transporter is coupled to proton efflux and may be quantified by a pH-stat technique. The dependence of the transport upon cation type and concentration, upon transporter concentration, and upon temperature has been examined. The synthetic transporter is closely similar to the natural channel forming compound gramicidin, and significantly different from the carrier valinomycin, with respect to the variables examined. Keywords: ion transport, vesicle membrane, channel, gramicidin, transport mechanism.