title: Triton channels are sensitive to divalent cations and protons.
abstract: Addition of Triton X-100 to planar bilayers composed of dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline, diphytanoyl phosphatidyl choline or mono-oleoyl glycerol induces single channel-like events when electrical conductivity across the bilayer is measured. Addition of divalent cations or protons causes channels to disappear; single channel conductance of remaining channels is not significantly altered; addition of EDTA or alkali (respectively) reverses the effect. It is concluded that sensitivity to divalent cations and protons need not be dependent on specific channel proteins or pore-forming toxins, but may be a feature of any aqueous pore across a lipid milieu.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Rostovtseva
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bashford
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lev
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pasternak
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000494:pharmacology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D017830:Octoxynol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D007473:Ion Channels; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011522:Protons; D017830:Octoxynol; D002118:Calcium