The measurement of the function of ion channels reconstituted into artificial membranes

Abstract

Abstract As is clear from the first chapter in this book, the function of individual ion channels or populations of ion channels in the cell surface membrane can be monitored in tissues and cells using voltage-clamp techniques. This chapter describes a more biochemical approach to the study of ion channel function. The procedures outlined here are commonly referred to as ‘ion channel reconstitution’, and involve the incorporation of channel proteins into artificial phospholipid bilayers so permitting the characterization of channel function under voltage-clamp conditions. In practice, this term is applied both to procedures which involve true reconstitution (i.e. studies involving purified channel proteins), and to protocols in which intact isolated membrane vesicles, containing the channel protein of interest, are incorporated into an artificial membrane. For more information on (membrane) protein purification, see refs 1 and 2 in conjunction with Chapter 4.