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The effect of microwave radiation on the stability and formation of gramicidin‐A channels in lipid bilayer membranes
Author(s) -
Sandblom John,
Theander Sten
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.2250120103
Subject(s) - gramicidin , membrane , lipid bilayer , bilayer , microwave , chemistry , kinetics , conductance , biophysics , channel (broadcasting) , chemical physics , biological membrane , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , condensed matter physics , biochemistry , chromatography , physics , biology , engineering , quantum mechanics , electrical engineering
The effects of microwaves on the single‐channel kinetics of gramicidin‐A channels in lipid bilayer membranes were examined. Attempts were made to separate thermal and athermal effects by accurate measurements of temperature at the site of the membrane and by relating the measured parameters to their previously characterized temperature dependence. It was found that microwave radiation does not affect single‐channel conductance or channel life time to a degree that is significantly different from that expected of a purely thermal effect. On the other hand, the rate of channel formation is decreased during exposure, which is opposite to that expected of a purely thermal effect. The mechanism of this effect is discussed in terms of the dimerization process of channel formation.