Artículo
A note of caution: gramicidin affects signaling pathways independently of its effects on plasma membrane conductance
Fecha
2021Registro en:
Evans Isola, F, Hernández Garrido, J, Cabo, F y [otro autor]. "A note of caution: gramicidin affects signaling pathways independently of its effects on plasma membrane conductance". BioMed Research International. [en línea] 2021, 2021: art. id 2641068. 12 h. DOI: 10.1155/2021/2641068.
2314-6133
10.1155/2021/2641068
Autor
Evans Isola, Frances
Hernández Garrido, Julio Andrés
Cabo, Federico
Chifflet, Silvia
Institución
Resumen
Gramicidin is a thoroughly studied cation ionophore widely used to experimentally manipulate the plasma membrane potential (PMP). In addition, it has been established that the drug, due to its hydrophobic nature, is capable of affecting the organization of membrane lipids. We have previously shown that modifications in the plasma membrane potential of epithelial cells in culture determine reorganizations of the cytoskeleton. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, we explored the effects of PMP depolarization on some putative signaling intermediates. In the course of these studies, we came across some results that could not be interpreted in terms of the properties of gramicidin as an ionic channel. The purpose of the present work is to communicate these results and, in general, to draw attention to the fact that gramicidin effects can be misleadingly attributed to its ionic or electrical properties. In addition, this work also contributes with some novel findings of the modifications provoked on the signaling intermediates by PMP depolarization and hyperpolarization.