title: Membrane pores--from biology to track-etched membranes.
abstract: Flow of ions through narrow pores, either induced in biological membranes or created in synthetic membrane filters, exhibits, under appropriate conditions: 1) rapid switching of ion current between high and low conducting states; 2) selectivity between different ions; 3) inhibition by protons or divalent cations with an order of efficacy usually H(+)> Zn(2+)>Ca(2+)>Mg(2+). It seems reasonable to conclude that these common properties arise from a common cause-the nature of the flow of ions close to a charged surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bashford
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004058:Diffusion; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D017136:Ion Transport; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011522:Protons; D011868:Radioisotopes; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011522:Protons; D011868:Radioisotopes; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium