Fluorometric functional assay for ion channel proteins in lipid nanovesicle membranes

Voltage-gated membrane proteins function as biomolecular transistors, making them attractive components for biologically based nanodevices. A functional assay for purified channel proteins is described and demonstrated with sodium selective, voltage-gated NaChBac ion channels. Purified NaChBac proteins were incorporated into a nanovesicle system utilizing oxonol VI, a fluorescent indicator of trans-membrane voltage. The ionophore valinomycin was used to trigger a change in membrane potential, allowing the observation of sodium permeability using a fluorometer. This method is suitable for concurrently testing a large population of purified proteins prior to incorporation in nanodevices