Biophysics and structure of the patch and the gigaseal.

ABSTRACT: Interpreting channel behavior in patches requires an understanding of patch structure and dynamics, especially in studies of mechanosensitive channels. High resolution optical studies show that patch formation occurs via blebbing that disrupts normal membrane structure and redistributes in situ components including ion channels. There is a 1-2 microm region of the seal below the patch where proteins are excluded and this may consist of extracted lipids that form the gigaseal. Patch domes often have complex geometries with inhomogeneous stresses due to the membrane-glass adhesion energy (E(a)), cytoskeletal forces, and possible lipid subdomains. The resting tension in the patch dome ranges from 1-4 mN/m, a significant fraction of the lytic tension of a bilayer ( approximately 10 mN/m). Thus

SUBMITTER: Suchyna TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2718145 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature