Electrical characteristics in an excitable element of lipid membrane

Biophys Chem. 1991 Nov;41(2):143-56. doi: 10.1016/0301-4622(91)80014-i.

Abstract

Electrical characteristics in a membrane constructed from a porous filter adsorbed with a lipid analogue, dioleoyl phosphate (DOPH), were investigated in a situation interposed between 100 mM NaCl + 3 mM CaCl2 and 100 mM KCl. Calcium ions affected significantly the membrane characteristics. The membrane potential was negative on the KCl side, which implies the higher permeability to K+ than Na+; this tendency was increased by a tiny amount of Ca2+. While the membrane showed a low electrical resistance of several k omega . cm2 under K+/Na+ gradient, it showed several M omega . cm2 by Ca2+. The surface structure of the membrane exhibited many voids in the low-resistance state, but the surface was covered by oil droplets in the high-resistance state. Oscillations of the membrane potential appeared spontaneously with application of the electrical current from the KCl side to the NaCl + CaCl2 side. The frequency was increased with the electrical current. All these results were explained comprehensively using an electrochemical kinetic model taking account of the Ca2+ binding effect, where DOPH assemblies make a phase transition between oil droplets due to Ca2+ and multi-bilayers with excess K+. The oscillation arises from coupling of the phase transition to accumulation and release of K+ or Ca2+. This membrane can be used as an excitable element regulated by Ca2+ in neuro-computer devices.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / chemistry
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Membrane Lipids*
  • Membrane Potentials*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Permeability
  • Potassium / chemistry
  • Sodium / chemistry

Substances

  • Membrane Lipids
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium