Changes in Single K(+) Channel Behavior Induced by a Lipid Phase Transition

We show that the activity of an ion channel is correlated with the phase state of the lipid bilayer hosting the channel By measuring unitary conductance dwell times and open probability of the K(+) channel KcsA as a function of temperature in lipid bilayers composed of POPE and POPG in different relative proportions we obtain that all those properties show a trend inversion when the bilayer is in the transition region between the liquid disordered and the solid ordered phase These data suggest that the physical properties of the lipid Mayer influence ion channel activity likely via a fine tuning of its conformations In a more general interpretative framework we suggest that other parameters such as pH ionic strength, and the action of amphiphilic drugs can affect the physical behavior of the lipid bilayer in a fashion similar to temperature changes resulting in functional changes of transmembrane protein