Ion-channel-like behavior in lipid bilayer membranes at the melting transition.
It is well known that at the gel-liquid phase-transition temperature a lipid bilayer membrane exhibits an increased ion permeability. We analyze the quantized currents in which the increased permeability presents itself. The open time histogram shows a "-3/2" power law which implies an open-closed transition rate that decreases like k(t)∝t(-1) as time evolves. We propose a "pore freezing" model to explain the observations. We discuss how this model also leads to the 1/fα noise that is commonly observed in currents across biological and artificial membranes.
Gallaher
Jill
J
Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA.
Wodzińska
Katarzyna
K
Heimburg
Thomas
T
Bier
Martin
M
D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods*; D018274:Electroporation; D005782:Gels; D007477:Ions; D007700:Kinetics; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008390:Markov Chains; D015233:Models, Statistical; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D005782:Gels; D007477:Ions; D008051:Lipid Bilayers