Monazomycin-induced single channels. II. Origin of the voltage dependence of the macroscopic conductance.

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Abstract
The voltage dependence of the conductance induced in thin lipid membranes by monazomycin is caused by voltage-dependent variations in the frequency of channel openings. Certain interesting properties of the channel activity that are predicted by a chemical kinetic model (Muller and Peskin, 1981), which successfully describes the macroscopic conductance, are demonstrated. Apparently, 2 parallel mechanisms, one autocatalytic, the other simple mass action, exist that allow monazomycin to enter (or leave) the membrane so that the monazomycin molecules can be in a position to form channels.