Gramicidin channel kinetics under tension |
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Authors: | M Goulian ON Mesquita DK Fygenson C Nielsen OS Andersen A Libchaber |
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Affiliation: | Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA. goulian@menard.rockefeller.edu |
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Abstract: | We have measured the effect of tension on dimerization kinetics of the channel-forming peptide gramicidin A. By aspirating large unilamellar vesicles into a micropipette electrode, we are able to simultaneously monitor membrane tension and electrical activity. We find that the dimer formation rate increases by a factor of 5 as tension ranges from 0 to 4 dyn/cm. The dimer lifetime also increases with tension. This behavior is well described by a phenomenological model of membrane elasticity in which tension modulates the mismatch in thickness between the gramicidin dimer and membrane. |
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