Gramicidin Channel in Lipid Bilayer

Two copies of the 15-amino-acid gramicidin peptide are shown here () arranged as they are believed to be when they form a channel through a lipid bilayer membrane. The shape of the protein is shown with tiny dots, inside of which is a ribbon backbone trace connecting the alpha carbon atoms of each amino acid chain.

• Show of the gramicidin protein chains. The chains are covalently linked with dioxolane in this experiment (C, O)
• C, H, O, N, P
  (Most hydrogen atoms are omitted.)
• Show . Notice how the hydrophobic lipid "tails" exclude water.
• Water passes .
• Show .
• Show only . C, H, O, N, P.
  For an explanation of their structure, see the detailed tutorial, also disponible en español.

Theoretical Model: The structure described on this page was determined theoretically (in 1994), and hence should be interpreted with caution.

spinqualitylabelsall models Theoretical model of gramicidin in a lipid bilayer (phosphatidyl ethanolamine). Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image

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See AlsoSee Also

• A detailed explanation and tutorial about Lipid Bilayers and the Gramicidin Channel.
• This model in FirstGlance in Jmol. Be sure to click the Ligands+ and Water buttons!
• Lipids: structure and classification
• BioMolecular Explorer 3D, a resource for high school teachers that includes a section on gramicidin in a lipid bilayer.
• High school teachers' resources
• The Spanish version of this page: Canal de gramicidina en bicapa lipídica (Spanish)
• For additional information, see: Membrane Channels & Pumps

NotesNotes

• The PDB file shown here, File:Gramicidin in bilayer.pdb.gz, was kindly provided by Serge Crouzy.