Modification of valinomycin-mediated bilayer membrane conductance by 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-methylbenzimidazole

The compound 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-methylbenzimidazole (TMB), has been found to markedly modify the steady-state valinomycin-mediated conductance of potassium (K+) ions through lipid bilayer membranes. TMB alone does not contribute significantly to membrane conductance, being electrically neutral in solution. In one of two classes of experiments (I), valinomycin is first added to the aqueous phases, then changes of membrane conductance accompanying stepwise addition of TMB to the water are measured. In a second class of experiments (II), valinomycin is added to the membrane-forming solution, followed by TMB additions to the surrounding water. In both cases membrane conductance shows an initial increase with increasing TMB concentration which is more pronounced at lower K+ ion concentration. At TMB concentrations in excess of 10(-5) M, membrane conductance becomes independent of K+ ion concentration, in contrast to the linear dependence observed at TMB concentrations below 10(-7) M. This transition is accompanied by a change of high field current-voltage characteristics from superlinear (or weakly sublinear) to a strongly sublinear form. All of these observations may be correlated by the kinetic model for carrier-mediated transport proposed by Läuger and Stark (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 211:458, 1970) from which it may be concluded that valinomycin-mediated ion transport is limited by back diffusion of the uncomplexed carrier at high TMB concentrations. Experiments of class I reveal a sharp drop of conductance at high (greater than 10(-5) M) TMB concentration, not seen in class II experiments, which is attributed to blocked entry of uncomplexed carrier from the aqueous phases. Valinomycin initially in the membrane is removed by lateral diffusion to the surrounding torus. The time dependence of this removal has been studied in a separate series of experiments, leading to a measured coefficient of lateral diffusion for valinomycin of 5 x 10(-6) cm2/sec at 25 degrees C. This value is about two orders of magnitude larger than the corresponding coefficient for transmembrane carrier diffusion, and provides further evidence for localization of valinomycin in the membrane/solution interfaces.