Open AccessInfluence of Gramicidin D on Permeability of Swine Erythrocytes to Ions
Author(s) -
BIELAWSKI J.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1968.tb00190.x
Subject(s) - gramicidin , membrane , swelling , permeability (electromagnetism) , chemistry , haemolysis , biophysics , chromatography , sodium , potassium , gramicidin s , ion , biochemistry , chemical engineering , biology , organic chemistry , immunology , engineering
Gramicidin 0.01 μg/ml is found to cause swelling and subsequent haemolysis of swine erythrocytes suspended in NaCI solutions of different concentrations (120 to 800 mM). The swelling can be explained by increased permeability of the erythrocyte membranes to Na + which enters the cells according to the Gibbs‐Donnan equilibrium. The gramicidin induced permeability of the membranes is higher for K + than Na + . Sucrose as well as proteins do not penetrate the membrane in the presence of gramicidin. The permeability of the membranes induced by gramicidin is reversible. Erythrocytes can thus be loaded with sodium or potassium ions in the presence of gramicidin and the impermeability to these ions can be restored by subsequent washing.