Solid support membranes for ion channel arrays and sensors: application ro rapid screening of pharmacological compounds
OwnerJohn Cuppolettiinventor
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Abstract
The present invention relates to synthetic membranes and provides a solid supported membrane comprising: a support; a chromium layer; a gold layer; an alkyl monolayer, a lipid monolayer; and an ion channel protein, wherein the alkyl monolayer and the lipid monolayer form a bilayer, and further wherein a functionally reconstituted ion channel is supported, and methods for forming them. The invention further provides methods and applications of the membranes in rapid screening for pharmacological agents and as bioelectric smart sensors.
Claims27
A solid supported membrane comprising:
- a support;
- a chromium layer;
- a gold layer;
- an alkyl monolayer, a lipid monolayer;
- and an ion channel protein, wherein the alkyl monolayer and the lipid monolayer form a bilayer, and further wherein a functionally reconstituted ion channel is supported.
An assay for screening compounds to identify pharmacological agents affecting an ion channel, the assay comprising:
- (a) providing a solid supported membrane comprising:
- a support;
- a chromium layer;
- a gold layer;
- an alkyl monolayer, a lipid monolayer;
- and an ion channel protein, wherein the alkyl monolayer and the lipid monolayer form a bilayer, and further wherein a functionally reconstituted ion channel is supported;
- (b) contacting (a) with a solution comprising an ion;
- (c) applying a potential and obtaining a stable ion current;
- (d) contacting the solid support membrane with a compound to be identified;
- and
- (e) measuring a change in the ion current.
A method for forming a functionally reconstituted ion channel on a solid supported membrane, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a solid support coated with a chromium layer and a gold layer;
- b. forming an alkyl-thiol monolayer on the gold layer;
- c. depositing a lipid monolayer on the alkyl-thiol monolayer to form a bilayer;
- and
- d. contacting the bilayer with an ion channel protein.
The method as recited in claim 26, wherein the reconstituted ion channel comprises a Kv1.5K++ channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.