The effect of the ionophore valinomycin on biomimetic solid supported lipid DPPTE/EPC membranes

Self assembled monolayers and bilayers are produced on a flat glass surface, bound by a thiolipid onto bare gold. 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphothioethanol (DPPTE) is used as the molecule binding to the electrode surface. The lipid λ-α-Phosphatidyl-Choline-β-Oleoyl-g-Palmitoyl (POPC) and the lipid mixture eggphosphatadiylcholine (EPC) are used as spacer lipids with the aim of achieving solid-supported artificial lipid membranes. With the aim of creating and investigating more natural systems, ion carrier proteins such as valinomycin are introduced into the DPPTE/EPC system. The direct influence on the membranes as well as the effects of different ionic solutions on the proteins is shown.