Transmembrane electrical potential of excitable membranes: a pore analysis influence of surface charges and surface...

A treatment is proposed in order to establish the general expression of the zero-current transmembrane potential of excitable membranes. The membrane model considered here is that of a hydrocarbon layer which is impermeable to ions and which represents the lipid bilayer matrix. In this matrix are incorporated ionic channels. The ion transport process through the channels is described by the absolute-rate theory applied to pores which are seen as chains of potential energy maxima and minima. Only one of the energy barriers corresponds to the gate step, and it is strongly dependent on the transmembrane potential. The kinetic equation is related to the zero current, to electrostatic boundary conditions and to the Gouy-Chapman equation for the aqueous diffuse layer.