Summary
Pore formation of alamethicin has been studied by the analysis of steadystate fluctuations of single-pore conductances. An aggregation model is proposed where transitions to the next higher or lower pore state occur by uptake or release of one monomer. It is assumed that alamethicin forms an elongated loop in the bilayer. The main voltage-dependent step is the insertion of this monomer into the membrane after complexation with a cation. This mechanism is equivalent to dipole orientation in an electric field. Pore formation is restricted by the energy required to enlarge the channel in the membrane.
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Boheim, G. Statistical analysis of alamethicin channels in black lipid membranes. J. Membrain Biol. 19, 277–303 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01869983
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01869983