title: Poly(DL-proline), a synthetic polypeptide behaving as an ion channel across bilayer membranes.
abstract: The synthesis and characterization of poly(DL-proline) are reported in relation with its predicted property of forming ion channels across membranes. The analysis of the conductance induced in synthetic bilayer membranes doped with poly(DL-proline) shows ionic permeoselectivity and the characteristic time course of fluctuations of ion channels, according to the similarity with the active structure of gramicidin A in membranes during the ion passage. An alternative mechanism of ion transport across bilayer membranes is also advanced.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palleschi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scipioni
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sesta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verdini
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006096:Gramicidin; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000378:metabolism*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010539:Permeability; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012413:Rubidium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010455:Peptides; D006096:Gramicidin; C011083:polyproline; D012964:Sodium; D012413:Rubidium; D011188:Potassium