Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Electrochemical Analysis of Ion Channels
and Transporters in Pore-Suspending
Membranes
Eva K. Schmitt
*
and Claudia Steinem
**
*
Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, John Radcliffe Hospital, Uni-
versity of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
**
Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Göttingen, Tam-
mannstr. 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
I. INTRODUCTION
Ion channels represent a class of membrane spanning protein pores
that mediate the flux of ions in a variety of cell types. They reside
virtually in all the cell membranes in mammals, insects and fungi,
and are essential for life, serving as key components in inter- and
intracellular communication.
1
They are also of major importance
for the human physiology and, thus, are highly attractive molecular
drug targets.
2
However, investigation of ion channels and their
pharmacological modulation is by no means an easy task, as their
function relies on a laterally mobile and highly insulating lipid bi-
layer. Functionality of an ion channel is synonymous with the de-
tection of ion currents. Upon the opening of one channel, typically
10
7
-10
8
charges are transferred across the membrane per second
and per channel, which gives rise to a current of around 2-20 pA
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