Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Proteoliposome-Based Efflux Assay to Determine Single-molecule Properties of Cl- Channels and Transporters
Published on: April 20, 2015
Amphiphilic blockers punch through a mutant CLC-0 pore
Xiao-Dong Zhang1, Tsung-Yu Chen
1Center for Neuroscience and Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, CA 95618, USA.
Amphiphilic molecules like p-chlorophenoxy acetate (CPA) block CLC-0 channel pore mutants. Studies on the E166G mutant reveal blocker "punch-through" at negative potentials, indicating molecules can exit the pore.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Ion channel biophysics
- Membrane transport
Background:
- Amphiphilic molecules, including p-chlorophenoxy acetate (CPA) and octanoate, are known to inhibit CLC-0 channel function.
- Pore-open mutants of CLC-0 exhibit voltage-dependent block by these molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of blocker "punch-through" in the CLC-0 E166G pore-open mutant.
- To provide further evidence for CPA and octanoate punch-through by examining blocker dissociation kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of CLC-0 E166G mutant.
- Voltage-clamp experiments in symmetrical 140 mM Cl(-) solutions.
- Measurement of blocker dissociation rates under varying voltage and ionic conditions.
Main Results:
- The block of the E166G mutant by CPA showed multiphasic voltage dependence, with apparent affinity decreasing at potentials more negative than -80 mV.
- Dissociation rate of CPA from the E166G pore reached a minimum at -80 mV in symmetrical 140 mM Cl(-).
- CPA dissociation rate shifted with the Cl(-) reversal potential, supporting the punch-through hypothesis and suggesting asymmetric pore movement.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide strong evidence for the "punch-through" of CPA and octanoate in the CLC-0 E166G pore.
- The results suggest that blocker movement through the CLC-0 pore is voltage-dependent and exhibits asymmetry, with outward movement being more restricted.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct microscopic...
Patch Clamp
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...
Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...

