Bi-stability, hysteresis, and memory of voltage-gated lysenin channels

► The slow equilibration of lysenin channels yields hysteresis in conductance. ► The hysteresis and bi-stability persist at unusually large time scales. ► The hysteresis and bi-stability manifest at the single channel level. ► Temperature studies indicate a stable reopening pathway as the hysteresis source. ► Bi-stability in channels' functioning may explain the memory of individual cells.