A Synthetic Transmembrane Channel Active in Lipid Bilayers

Abstract

An artificial ion channel active in planar lipid membranes: the 21 amino acid peptide 1 mimics the K+ ion transport ability of natural ion-channel proteins. Peptide 1 assumes an α-helical conformation in the membrane, and its crown ether units are aligned to form a polar passageway for ions across the lipid bilayer.