title: Mechanisms by which small molecules alter ionic permeability through lipid bilayer membranes.
abstract: Small molecules may be particularly effective cytotoxic agents by way of altering ionic permeability in cell and organelle membranes. The mechanisms by which such molecules may acte on membrane permeability are examined here in light of the rather precise understanding of the mechanisms by which ionic permeability is induced and altered in lipid bilayer membranes. In particular, the influence of specific changes in membrane composition on the kinetics of direct and carrier mediated transport of ions are examined in detail and related to the electrical potentials originating from dipolar residues at the membrane surface.
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008566:Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010539:Permeability; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds