| Autor: |
Whiting R; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.; Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., Finn PW; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., Bogard A; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.; Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., McKinney F; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., Pankratz D; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., Smith AR; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., Gardner EA; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA., Fologea D; Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.; Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
The unassisted transport of inorganic ions through lipid membranes has become increasingly relevant to an expansive range of biological phenomena. Recent simulations indicate a strong influence of a lipid membrane's curvature on its permeability, which may be part of the overall cell sensitivity to mechanical stimulation. However, most ionic permeability experiments employ a flat, uncurved lipid membrane, which disregards the physiological relevance of curvature on such investigations. To fill this gap in our knowledge, we adapted a traditional experimental system consisting of a planar lipid membrane, which we exposed to a controlled, differential hydrostatic pressure. Our electrophysiology experiments indicate a strong correlation between the changes in membrane geometry elicited by the application of pressure, as inferred from capacitance measurements, and the resulting conductance. Our experiments also confirmed the well-established influence of cholesterol addition to lipid membranes in adjusting their mechanical properties and overall permeability. Therefore, the proposed experimental system may prove useful for a better understanding of the intricate connections between membrane mechanics and adjustments of cellular functionalities upon mechanical stimulation, as well as for confirmation of predictions made by simulations and theoretical modeling. |
