Distribution of ion pairs into a bilayer lipid membrane and its effect on the ionic permeability

This work reports the distribution constant of a target ion and a counter-ion between an aqueous phase and an artificial bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) and its influence to the ionic permeability through a BLM. A theoretical formula for ionic permeability through a BLM based on the distribution of the target ion and the counter-ion is also proposed and validated by analyzing the flux of a fluorescent cation [rhodamine 6G (R6G+)] through the BLM in the presence of counter-ions (X− = Br−, BF4−, and ClO4−). The transmembrane flux was evaluated by simultaneous measurement of the transmembrane current density and the transmembrane fluorescence intensity as a function of the membrane potential. The distribution constant of R6G+ and X− between the aqueous and BLM phases was determined by a liposome-extraction method. The measured ionic permeability exhibited non-linear dependent on the aqueous concentration of R6G+ or X−, but proportional to the concentration of R6G+ and X− inside the BLM evaluated from the distribution constant of R6G+ and X−. The proportionality demonstrates that the distribution of cations and anions between the aqueous and BLM phases dominates the flux of ion transport through the BLM. The proposed formula can express the dependence of the transmembrane current on the membrane potential and the concentrations of R6G+ and X− in the aqueous phase. [Display omitted] •Ion transport through bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) differs from neutral molecules.•Cation and anion distribution between aqueous and BLM phases dominates ion flux.•Concentration and type of coexisting ion influences the transport of a target ion.