title: Amphotericin B membrane action: role for two types of ion channels in eliciting cell survival and lethal effects.
abstract: The formation of aqueous pores by the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB) is at the basis of its fungicidal and leishmanicidal action. However, other types of nonlethal and dose-dependent biphasic effects that have been associated with the AmB action in different cells, including a variety of survival responses, are difficult to reconcile with the formation of a unique type of ion channel by the antibiotic. In this respect, there is increasing evidence indicating that AmB forms nonaqueous (cation-selective) channels at concentrations below the threshold at which aqueous pores are formed. The main foci of this review will be (1) to provide a summary of the evidence supporting the formation of cation-selective ion channels and aqueous pores by AmB in lipid membrane models and in the membranes of eukaryotic cells; (2) to discuss the influence of membrane parameters such as thickness fluctuations, the type of sterol present and the existence of sterol-rich specialized lipid raft microdomains in the formation process of such channels; and (3) to develop a cell model that serves as a framework for understanding how the intracellular K(+) and Na(+) concentration changes induced by the cation-selective AmB channels enhance multiple survival response pathways before they are overcome by the more sustained ion fluxes, Ca(2+)-dependent apoptotic events and cell lysis effects that are associated with the formation of AmB aqueous pores.
authors.affiliation: Division of External Activities, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 6700B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20982, USA. ec17w@nih.gov
authors.forename: B Eleazar
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D008081:Liposomes; D000666:Amphotericin B