Antibiotic induced conformational changes

It is proposed that the alcohol-induced formation of small areas of the interdigitated state near the GMi can cause the hyperpolarization of the neuronal membrane by infusion of Cl ions, which elicits the behavioral effects of alcohols. Interdigitation could promote dielectric breakdown of the membrane or the induction of a conformational change in the ionophore protein such that ions can permeate the membrane. In either case, only a few ion-conducting sites need be activated for hyperpolarization to occur. Induction of increased permeability of metabolites across membranes has been demonstrated for the antibiotic polymyxin . It has also been shown that polymyxin induces interdigitation i. 

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