Oscillation of membrane potential in ion–complex membranes of DNA and hexamethylenediamine

Abstract

Ion–complex membranes of DNA and hexamethylenediamine generated oscillations in the membrane potential under a concentration gradient of several salts at frequencies between 0 and 5 Hz at pH 7.0. These rhythmic and synchronized oscillations can be regarded as a simple model of non-linear phenomena observed in organs and cells. The amplitude of the oscillation was influenced by the salts used, and a high amplitude of the oscillation was observed when KCl or salts containing a divalent cation were used. Analysis by fast Fourier transformation revealed that the oscillation of the membrane potential has specific frequencies. It was possible that a particular salt present in the solution can be identified from the amplitude and/or the power spectra of the fast Fourier transform during the oscillation of the membrane potential.