Channel activity of a viral transmembrane peptide in micro-BLMs: Vpu(1-32) from HIV-1.

Journal article

We report for the first time on pore-suspending lipid bilayers, which we call micro-black lipid membranes (micro-BLMs), based on a highly ordered macroporous silicon array. Micro-BLMs were established by first functionalizing the backside porous silicon surface with gold and then chemisorbing 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphothioethanol followed by spreading 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine dissolved in n-decane. Impedance spectroscopy revealed the formation of single lipid bilayers confirmed by a mean specific capacitance of 0.6 +/- 0.2 microF/cm2. Membrane resistances were in the G omega-regime and beyond. The potential of the system for single channel recordings was demonstrated by inserting the transmembrane domain of the HIV-1 accessory peptide Vpu(1-32), which forms helix bundles with characteristic opening states. We elucidated different amilorides as potential drugs to inhibit channel activity of Vpu.

Authors: Römer, W; Lam, Y; Fischer, D; Watts, A; Fischer, W

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
• Volume: 126
• Issue: 49
• Pages: 16267-16274
• Publication date: 2004-12-01
• DOI: 10.1021/ja0451970
• EISSN: 1520-5126
• ISSN: 0002-7863
• Language: English
• Keywords: Membrane Potentials; Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Peptide Fragments; Electric Impedance; Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; Ion Channels; Lipid Bilayers; Amiloride; Silicon; Membranes, Artificial; Protein Structure, Tertiary