THE CHARACTERISTIC FREQUENCY OF FORMAMIDINIUM-INDUCED NOISE IN GRAMICIDIN A CHANNELS: VOLTAGE AND CONCENTRATION DEPENDENCE

Authors

Teresa Griffin Fairbanks, Brigham Young University
David D. Busath, Brigham Young University

Keywords

formamidinium-induced noise, Gramicidin A channels, voltage, concentration dependence

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Gramicidin A is a protein that forms cation selective ion channels in lipid bilayers (model cell membranes.) Although it is not found in natural systems, Gramicidin A is a good ion channel to study because its structure is known. It is generally thought that the passage of cations through the gramicidin channel does not cause the channel to move. Data for most cations seems to support this hypothesis. Unlike other cations, formamidinium, CH(NH2)2, causes a dramatic increase in current noise over baseline noise. This high noise level in the formamidinium channel suggests that some kind of channel movement may be taking place or some kind of blocking due to binding at the center of the channel such as that caused by guanidinium. A better understanding of this movement is found through analyzing how the noise changes with respect to applied voltage and with respect to formamidinium solution concentration.

Recommended Citation

Fairbanks, Teresa Griffin and Busath, David D. (2013) "THE CHARACTERISTIC FREQUENCY OF FORMAMIDINIUM-INDUCED NOISE IN GRAMICIDIN A CHANNELS: VOLTAGE AND CONCENTRATION DEPENDENCE," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2779.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2779