title: Rapid switching of ion current in narrow pores: implications for biological ion channels.
abstract: Ions flowing through purely synthetic filters made of polyethylene terephthalate which have been etched to produce narrow pores show: (i) rapid transitions between a high-conducting and a low-conducting state; (ii) selectivity of ion flow; and (iii) inhibition by divalent cations and protons. These features resemble those displayed by many biological ion channels. We interpret our results in terms of the special properties of ion conductance at an interface that may be observed whenever the contribution of bulk conductance is minimal.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cytology, Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lev
authors.forename: Y E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Korchev
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Rostovtseva
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bashford
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Edmonds
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pasternak
mesh_terms: D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000494:pharmacology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005374:Filtration; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011522:Protons; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D007473:Ion Channels; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011522:Protons; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water