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Receptor membranes and ionophore gating

  • US 5,874,316 A
  • Filed: 10/30/1996
  • Issued: 02/23/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A membrane in which the conductance of the membrane is dependent on the presence or absence of an analyte, the membrane comprising:

  • a first and second layer;

    a closely packed array of amphiphilic molecules and a plurality of gramacidin ionophores comprising a first and second half membrane spanning monomer, the first half membrane spanning monomers being provided in the first layer and the second half membrane spanning monomers being provided in the second layer, the second half membrane spanning monomers being capable of lateral diffusion within the second layer independent of the first half membrane spanning monomers, the first half membrane spanning monomers being prevented from lateral diffusion in the first layer;

    a first receptor molecule provided on at least the second half membrane spanning monomers; and

    in which a proportion of the amphiphilic molecules are membrane spanning amphiphiles which are prevented from lateral diffusion in the membrane to which are attached a second receptor molecule, the binding of an analyte to the first and second receptor molecules causing a change in the relationship between the first half membrane spanning monomers and the second half membrane spanning monomers such that the flow of ions across the membrane via the ionophores is allowed or prevented.

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