Ion transport through chemically induced pores in protein-free phospholipid membranes

Gurtovenko, Andrey A. and Anwar, Jamshed (2007) Ion transport through chemically induced pores in protein-free phospholipid membranes. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 111 (47). pp. 13379-13382. ISSN 1520-6106

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Abstract

We address the possibility of being able to induce the trafficking of salt ions and other solutes across cell membranes without the use of specific protein-based transporters or pumps. On the basis of realistic atomic-scale molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that transmembrane ionic leakage can be initiated by chemical means, in this instance through addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a solvent widely used in cell biology. Our results provide compelling evidence that the small amphiphilic solute DMSO is able to induce transient defects (water pores) in membranes and to promote a subsequent diffusive pore-mediated transport of salt ions. The findings are consistent with available experimental data and offer a molecularlevel explanation for the experimentally observed activities of DMSO solvent as an efficient penetration enhancer and a cryoprotectant, as well as an analgesic. Our findings suggest that transient pore formation by chemical means could emerge as an important general principle for therapeutics.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Subjects:
?? lipid-membranesparticle mesh ewaldcomputer-simulationsbilayersmolecular-dynamics simulationsfree-energydimethyl-sulfoxidecharge imbalancedimethylsulfoxidetemperature ??
ID Code:
62188
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
14 Feb 2013 15:15
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 13:35