Abstract: Disclosed is a novel use of a prostaglandin compound as a chloride channel opener. According to the instant invention, chloride channels in a mammalian subject can be opened by a prostaglandin compound to facilitate chloride ion transportation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic membranes and provides a solid supported membrane comprising: a support; a chromium layer; a gold layer; an alkyl monolayer, a lipid monolayer; and an ion channel protein, wherein the alkyl monolayer and the lipid monolayer form a bilayer, and further wherein a functionally reconstituted ion channel is supported, and methods for forming them. The invention further provides methods and applications of the membranes in rapid screening for pharmacological agents and as bioelectric smart sensors.

Abstract: Methods for studying ion channels comprise incorporating an ion channel onto the surface of a solid-supported membrane; applying a potential to the solid-supported membrane; and measuring an electrical signal of the ion channel. Methods for identifying or screening compounds that bind to ion channels employ an ion channel incorporated onto a solid-supported membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel use of a prostaglandin compound as a chloride channel opener. According to the instant invention, chloride channels in a mammalian subject can be opened by a prostaglandin compound to facilitate chloride ion transportation.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for increasing the permeability of epithelial cells to a chloride ion in a subject comprising administering a permeability enhancing amount of a composition comprising a specifically-defined nontoxic, benzimidazole or benzimidazole derivative. The invention also relates to a method of treating cystic fibrosis comprising administering an epithelial cell chloride permeability enhancing amount of a composition comprising a specifically-defined nontoxic, benzimidazole or benzimidazole derivative. The benzimidazole compound having chloride channel activation activity for use in this invention includes a 2-[(pyridyl)-methylsulfinyl or -methylthio]benzimidazole derivatives and salts thereof, for instance. Specifically, these include the compounds omeprazole, lansoprazole, thimoprazole and pantoprazole.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to medical treatment methods. Specifically, the invention relates to methodology for the correction of defective chloride transport by activation of chloride channels of the lung and other epithelia using genetic or chemical modification. These methods relate to the treatment of epithelia with compounds which cause activation of the channel as measured by increased probability (Po) of opening of the channel at physiologically relevant holding potentials. These methods also relate to the treatment of epithelia with gene therapy to introduce chloride channels genes with site mutations which cause activation of the channel as measured by increased probability (Po) of opening of the channel at physiologically relevant holding potentials. These treatments will reduce life-threatening complications frequently found in diseases such as cystic fibrosis. These methods of activation of chloride channels also comprise treatment of chloride channels with amidation reactions.

Abstract: A coverslip holder assembly for a front face fluorimetry flow cell has a holder body and a hingedly attached clamp for releasably maintaining a coverslip adjacent the front face of the holder body and flow cell. The assembly is preferably a unitary arrangement wherein the clamp is hingedly mounted adjacent the bottom end of the front face of the holder body, and has a convenient snap lock release mechanism at its top end to selectively lock the coverslip in flush arrangement with the front face. The holder assembly can provide a biased snug fit with a variety of cuvettes or similar sample vessels, and enables the use of highly colored or fluorescent compounds for perfusion in front face fluorimetry operations.