title: Dimeric structure of single chloride channels from Torpedo electroplax.
abstract: The inhibition by 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate (DIDS) of Cl- channels from Torpedo electroplax incorporated in planar phospholipid bilayer membranes is studied. DIDS irreversibly and rapidly inhibits the macroscopic conductance of membranes containing many channels. At the single-channel level, the effect of DIDS is more complicated. The uninhibited single channel displays three "substates" of conductances 20, 10, and 0 pS. Short exposure (5-30 s) to 10 microM DIDS converts this three-level active channel into a "conventional" channel of 10-pS conductance. Longer exposure eliminates all channel fluctuations. The results are taken as strong evidence that the Cl- channel is constructed as a functional dimer of identical protein subunits.
mesh_terms: D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid; D012856:4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002712:Chlorides; D004557:Electric Organ / Q000032:analysis*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D014101:Torpedo / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D007473:Ion Channels; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012856:4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid; D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid