Electrostatics of Membranes and Proteins

Probably the most compelling reason to study the influence of charge on channel small-ion transport is to test our understanding of electrostatics at the nano-scale. Questions like the Debye screening in channels that allow only one or two counter-ions, electric field effects at distances smaller that the Bjerrum length, properties of solvents and solutes in the vicinity of protein surfaces, etc., invariably ignite researchers’ interest and imagination.

Related references:

A. Alcaraz, E.M. Nestorovich, M. Aguilella-Arzo, V.M. Aguilella , and S.M. Bezrukov. Salting out the ionic selectivity of a wide channel: The asymmetry of OmpF. Biophysical Journal, 2004, 87:943-957. [PDF]

E.M. Nestorovich, T.K. Rostovtseva, and S.M. Bezrukov. Residue ionization and ion transport through OmpF channels. Biophysical Journal, 2003, 85 :3718-3729. [PDF]

V.V. Malev, L.V. Schagina, P.A. Gurnev, J.Y. Takemoto, E.M. Nestorovich, and S.M. Bezrukov. Syringomycin E channel: A lipidic pore stabilized by lipopeptide? Biophysical Journal, 2002, 82: 1985-1994. [PDF]

V.M. Aguilella and S.M. Bezrukov. Alamethicin channel conductance modified by lipid charge. European Biophysics Journal, 2001, 30:233-241. [PDF]

T.K. Rostovtseva, T.-T. Liu, M. Colombini, V.A. Parsegian, and S.M. Bezrukov. Positive cooperativity without domains or subunits in a monomeric membrane channel. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA , 2000, 97:7819-7822. [PDF]

T.K. Rostovtseva, V.M. Aguilella, I. Vodyanoy, S.M. Bezrukov, and V.A. Parsegian. Membrane surface-charge titration probed by gramicidin A channel conductance. Biophysical Journal, 1998, 75:1783-1792. [PDF]

S.M. Bezrukov and J.J. Kasianowicz. The charge state of an ion channel controls neutral polymer entry into its pore. European Biophysics Journal, 1997, 26:471-476. [PDF]

J.J. Kasianowicz and S.M. Bezrukov. Protonation dynamics of the alpha-toxin channel from spectral analysis of pH dependent current fluctuations. Biophysical Journal, 1995, 69:94-105. [PDF]

S.M. Bezrukov and J.J. Kasianowicz. Fluctuations in current through a single open ion channel reveal titration kinetics of ionizable residues. Physical Review Letters, 1993, 70:2352-2355. [PDF]