Valinomycin, conformation

Fig. 23. Schematic representation of equilibria between valinomycin conformations A, B, and C [Reproduced from Ovchinnikov, Y. A., et al. Membrane-active complexones. BBA Library,...

With respect to the carrier mechanism, the phenomenology of the carrier transport of ions is discussed in terms of the criteria and kinetic scheme for the carrier mechanism the molecular structure of the Valinomycin-potassium ion complex is considered in terms of the polar core wherein the ion resides and comparison is made to the Enniatin B complexation of ions it is seen again that anion vs cation selectivity is the result of chemical structure and conformation lipid proximity and polar component of the polar core are discussed relative to monovalent vs multivalent cation selectivity and the dramatic monovalent cation selectivity of Valinomycin is demonstrated to be the result of the conformational energetics of forming polar cores of sizes suitable for different sized monovalent cations. 

Fig. 20. A. Conformation of the Valinomycin-cation complex derived for solution using a combination of proton magnetic resonance data and conformational energy calculations. This structure agrees within tenths of an Angstrom with the crystal structure subsequently determined (100) and shown in Fig. 21. Reproduced with permission from Ref.99).

Fig. 21. Crystal structure of the Valinomycin-K+ complex. Reproduced with permission from Ref.100). This crystal structure confirmed within tenths of an Angstrom the structure derived previously in solution 97 98) and by means of conformational energy calculations...

The transmembrane potential derived from a concentration gradient is calculable by means of the Nemst equation. If K+ were the only permeable ion then the membrane potential would be given by Eq. 1. With an ion activity (concentration) gradient for K+ of 10 1 from one side to the other of the membrane at 20 °C, the membrane potential that develops on addition of Valinomycin approaches a limiting value of 58 mV87). This is what is calculated from Eq. 1 and indicates that cation over anion selectivity is essentially total. As the conformation of Valinomycin in nonpolar solvents in the absence of cation is similar to that of the cation complex 105), it is quite understandable that anions have no location for interaction. One could with the Valinomycin structure construct a conformation in which a polar core were formed with six peptide N—H moieties directed inward in place of the C—O moieties but... 

Fig. 23. Space filling model of the Enniatin B—K + complex after the crystal structure 103). Since the carbonyl moieties coordinating the cation are similar for Enniatin B and Valinomycin, the difference in selectivities must arise due to the energetics of the conformations required to achieve coordination of the cation...

Fig. 24. Calculation of the conformational energy of Valinomycin as a function of the size of the polar core which contains the ion. This uses the structure of Fig. 20. The verticle lines are the optimal core sizes for the indicated ions. Based on the conformational energy component, selectivity for K+ and Rb+ would be similar and Cs+ less favored. Na+ is off the curve suggesting that this conformation cannot form a polar core small enough to complex Na+ by means of this conformation. Adapted with permission from Ref.

Fig. 7.4. Conformations of (a) free valinomycin and (b) of its potassium complex. The carbonyl oxygen atoms, P, P, M and M are in especially exposed positions, so that they can initiate complexation of potassium ion. During complexation, hydrogen bonds 1 and 2 are broken, so that oxygen atoms R and R can take part in the co-ordination of the cation. Further smaller conformation changes allow oxygen atoms Q and Q to partake in formation of new hydrogen bonds, the molecule thus attaining the final round shape (see [44a ]). (By permission of the American Association for Advancement of Science.)...

A precise calculation of AGd as a function of the cationic radius would be very difficult because it would involve a complete conformational analysis of a large and complicated ligand system (82). Nevertheless, the dependency of the cation selectivity on steric interactions is capable of illustration. The term AGd can be estimated very crudely by using Hooke s law. As is shown in Fig. 16, ligands that are differentiated only by the radius of their equilibrium cavities can easily discriminate between cations of different size. This may explain why valinomycin and antamanide, two antibiotics with similar coordination spheres (54, 66), do not prefer the same cation (82). As it is no easy task to predict the exact dimensions of the cavity for a proposed ligand, the tailored synthesis of such ligands is conceivable yet problematic. 

Uncomplexed valinomycin has a more extended conformation than it does in the potassium complex.385,386 The conformational change results in the breaking of a pair of hydrogen bonds and formation of new hydrogen bonds as the molecule folds around the potassium ion. Valinomycin facilitates potassium transport in a passive manner. However, there are cyclic changes between two conformations as the carrier complexes with ions, diffuses across the membrane, and releases ions on the other side. Tire rate of transport is rapid, with each valinomycin molecule being able to carry 104 potassium ions per second across a membrane. Tlius, a very small amount of this ionophore is sufficient to alter the permeability and the conductance of a membrane. 

Ohnishi, M., and Urry, D. W. Solution conformation of valinomycin-potassium ion complex. Science 168, 1091-1092 (1970). 

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