Kinetics of macrotetrolide-induced ion transport across lipid bilayer membranes.

Ion transport across lipid bilayer membranes in the presence of macrotetrolide antibiotics has been studied by stationary conductance and nonstationary relaxation methods. The results are discussed on the basis of a carrier model which has already been successfully applied to valinomycin induced ion transport. Again a kinetic analysis has been performed from which the single rate constants of the carrier model could be derived. In addition the equilibrium constant of complex formation in the aqueous phase could be determined. Measurements have been made for 4 macrotetrolides, for several ions and for various chain lengths of the lipid molecules composing the membrane.