A Note of Caution: Gramicidin Affects Signaling Pathways Independently of Its Effects on Plasma Membrane Conductance
Posted by Ernesto on Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Autores:
Frances Evans 1 , Julio A Hernández 2 , Federico Cabo 3 , Silvia Chifflet 3
Revista (o libro):
Biomed Res Int
Año:
2021
Mes-dia:
1021
issue, vol, paginas, etc:
2021:2641068
doi:
10.1155/2021/2641068
PMID:
34722759
Abstract:
Gramicidin is a thoroughly studied cation ionophore widely used to experimentally manipulate the plasma membrane potential (PMP). In addition, it has been established that the drug, due to its hydrophobic nature, is capable of affecting the organization of membrane lipids. We have previously shown that modifications in the plasma membrane potential of epithelial cells in culture determine reorganizations of the cytoskeleton. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, we explored the effects of PMP depolarization on some putative signaling intermediates. In the course of these studies, we came across some results that could not be interpreted in terms of the properties of gramicidin as an ionic channel. The purpose of the present work is to communicate these results and, in general, to draw attention to the fact that gramicidin effects can be misleadingly attributed to its ionic or electrical properties. In addition, this work also contributes with some novel findings of the modifications provoked on the signaling intermediates by PMP depolarization and hyperpolarization.
Afiliaciones:
1 Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Gral. Flores 2125, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
2 Sección Biofísica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá s/n esq. Mataojo, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
3 Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Gral. Flores 2125, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Enlace pubmed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34722759/
Enlace full text:
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2641068
Cita:
Evans F, Hernández JA, Cabo F, Chifflet S. A Note of Caution: Gramicidin Affects Signaling Pathways Independently of Its Effects on Plasma Membrane Conductance. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Oct 21;2021:2641068. doi: 10.1155/2021/2641068. PMID: 34722759; PMCID: PMC8553451.