[Properties of conductivity channels induced in phospholipid bilayer membranes by alpha-staphylotoxin]

Interaction between alpha-straphylotoxin (alpha-T) and synthetic phospholipid membranes was shown to be accompanied by the formation of conductivity channels of different amplitude. Dependence of channel conductivity on salt concentration, medium pH, as well as selectivity for different cations and anions was determined. Current--voltage characteristics of BPhM modified by alpha-T were measured. The conductivity fluctuations observed are suggested to be concerned with the initiation of phospholipid domens (with changed mobility of their fatty acid chains) in the bilayer structure.