Enhanced long-term stability for single ion channel recordings using suspended poly(lipid) bilayers.
Black lipid membranes (BLMs) are widely used for recording the activity of incorporated ion channel proteins. However, BLMs are inherently unstable structures that typically rupture within a few hours after formation. Here, stabilized BLMs were formed using the polymerizable lipid bis-dienoyl phosphatidylcholine (bis-DenPC) on glass pipettes of approximately 10 microm (I.D.). After polymerization, these BLMs maintained steady conductance values for several weeks, as compared to a few hours for unpolymerized membranes. The activity of an ion channel, alpha-hemolysin, incorporated into bis-DenPC BLMs prior to polymerization, was maintained for 1 week after BLM formation and polymerization. These lifetimes are a substantial improvement over those achievable with conventional BLM technologies. Polymerized BLMs containing functional ion channels may represent an enabling technology for development of robust biosensors and drug screening devices.
Heitz
Benjamin A
BA
Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
Xu
Juhua
J
Hall
Henry K
HK
Aspinwall
Craig A
CA
Saavedra
S Scott
SS
D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry*
D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines