Memory is a property of an ion channels pool: ion channels formed by Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin.
The short-time depolarization effects on the integral conductance induced by S. aureus alpha-toxin (ST) in planar lipid bilayer membranes has been studied. Ion channels formed by ST were found to have several potential-induced nonconductance (closed) states. The transitions of ion channels between the states are only through one conductance state. The transition of ST-channels from closed to open state is induced by membrane depolarization. The amplitude current after a series of voltage pulses is a function of pulse number, and is effectively independent of the time interval between the neighbouring pulses. Therefore, a membrane which contains a pool of ion channels "remembers" its previous existence. A simple model can be used to explain this phenomenon.
Krasilnikov
O V
OV
Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the UzSSR, Taishkent.
Merzliak
P G
PG
Sabirov
R Z
RZ
Tashmuk-Hamedov
B A
BA
D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; C021091:staphylococcal alpha-toxin