Transport Behavior of Amino Acid across Charged Mosaic Membrane

Abstract

Abstract Several characteristics on a charged mosaic membrane with parallel arrays of different negative and positive charges were investigated through transport studies. In particular, the transport behaviors of three different amino acids (GluNa, Arg, and Ala), known as amphoteric electrolytes, were examined in contrast to those of the simple electrolytes (KCl and LiCl). From an analysis of the data of the volume flux and salt flux, although preferential amino acid transport across the charged mosaic membrane was observed, the extent of the permeability was less than that of simple salt. Among amino acids, GluNa with almost complete dissociation indicated the maximum permeability. A conductance study indicated that the transport behaviors were dependent on the ionic states in aqueous solution. It was inferred that amino acids with apparent zero net charges have transport behaviors different from a nonelectrolyte, such as sucrose.