Properties of amphotericin B channels in a lipid bilayer

Properties of individual ionic channels formed by polyene antibiotic Amphotericin B were studied on brain phospholipid membranes containing cholesterol. The ionic channels have a closed state and an open one (with conductance of about 6.5 pS in 2 M KCl). The conductance value of an open channel is independent of cholesterol concentration in the membrane of pH in the range from 3.5 to 8.0. The voltage-current characteristics of a single channel are superlinear. Zero current potential value in the case of different KCl concentrations in the two solutions indicates preferential but not ideal anionic selectivity of a single channel. Channel conductivity grows as the electrolyte concentration is increased and tends to a limiting value at high concentrations. A simple model having only one site for an ion was shown to represent satisfactorily an open channel behaviour under different conditions. An individual ionic channel performs a large number of transitions between the open and closed states during its life-time of several minutes. Rate constants of these transitions depend on the kind and concentration of salt in aqueous solutions. The switching system functioning is not influenced by an ion situated inside the pore.