title: Reconstitution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors into gel-protected lipid membranes.
abstract: We report the functional reconstitution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors into gel-protected bilayer lipid membranes using two different methods. In the first case, reconstitution was achieved by direct membrane formation from an emulsion of glycerol monooleate, hexane, and a membrane receptor extract. In the second case, incorporation was achieved via the fusion of vesicles from a preparation of membrane-bound receptors into preformed membranes after diffusion through the protective front gel layer. Measurement of the dc conductivity of the membranes in the presence of either acetylcholine or alpha-bungarotoxin was used to test for the functional activity of incorporated receptors.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Electronics, Coventry University SE, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beddow
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heptinstall
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Walton
mesh_terms: D004566:Electrodes; D005782:Gels; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D006586:Hexanes / Q000737:chemistry; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D006586:Hexanes; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D005990:Glycerol