| Literature DB >> 21896274 |
Helgi I Ingólfsson1, Roger E Koeppe, Olaf S Andersen.
Abstract
Green tea's health benefits have been attributed to its major polyphenols, the catechins: (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and epicatechin (EC). Catechins (especially EGCG) modulate a wide range of biologically important molecules, including many membrane proteins. Yet, little is known about their mechanism(s) of action. We tested the catechins' bilayer-modifying potency using gramicidin A (gA) channels as molecular force probes. All the catechins alter gA channel function and modify bilayer properties, with a 500-fold range in potency (EGCG>ECG≫EGC>EC). Additionally, the gallate group causes current block, as evident by brief downward current transitions (flickers).Entities:
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Year: 2011 PMID: 21896274 PMCID: PMC3188397 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.08.040
Source DB: PubMed Journal: FEBS Lett ISSN: 0014-5793 Impact factor: 4.124