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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Reconstitution of a Kv Channel into Lipid Membranes for Structural and Functional Studies
Published on: July 13, 2013
Synthesis and characterization of a redox-active ion channel supporting cation flux in lipid bilayers
Maia Tsikolia1, Adam C Hall, Cristina Suarez
1Center for Heterocyclic Compounds, Department of Chemistry, 126 Sisler Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, USA.
Abstract:
The synthesis, cation binding and transmembrane conductive properties of a novel synthetic ion channel containing a redox-active ferrocene unit are described. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the channel supports multiple ion coordination and association constants for 1:1 and 1:2 (channel:cation) coordination for both Na(+) and K(+) were evaluated. Experiments using a black lipid membrane preparation revealed that this compound functioned effectively as an ion channel for both Na(+) and K(+). Concomitant (23)Na NMR spectroscopy studies supported this finding and revealed a Na(+) flux, at least 5 times higher than ion transport rates by monensin. Furthermore, oxidation of the redox-active centre (Fe(2+) to Fe(3+)) effectively inhibited ion transport.
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