Charge selectivity of the designed uncharged peptide ion channel Ac-(LSSLLSL)3-CONH2

Biophys J. 1995 Apr;68(4):1347-58. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3495(95)80307-3.

Abstract

Charge selectivity in ion channel proteins is not fully understood. We have studied charge selectivity in a simple model system without charged groups, in which an amphiphilic helical peptide, Ac-(Leu-Ser-Ser-Leu-Leu-Ser-Leu)3-CONH2, forms ion channels across an uncharged phospholipid membrane. We find these channels to conduct both K+ and Cl-, with a permeability ratio (based on reversal potentials) that depends on the direction of the KCl concentration gradient across the membrane. The channel shows high selectivity for K+ when [KCl] is lowered on the side of the membrane that is held at a positive potential (the putative C-terminal side), but only modest K+ selectivity when [KCl] is lowered on the opposite side (the putative N-terminal side). Neither a simple Nernst-Planck electrodiffusion model including screening of the helix dipole potential, nor a multi-ion, state transition model allowing simultaneous cation and anion occupancy of the channel can satisfactorily fit the current-voltage curves over the full range of experimental conditions. However, the C-side/N-side dilution asymmetry in reversal potentials can be simulated with either type of model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anions
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Cations
  • Diffusion
  • Electrochemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Ion Channels / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Potassium Chloride / chemistry
  • Solutions

Substances

  • Anions
  • Cations
  • Ion Channels
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Peptides
  • Solutions
  • Potassium Chloride