Three-dimensional Poisson-Nernst-Planck theory studies:: Influence of membrane electrostatics on gramicidin A channel conductance

A recently introduced real-space lattice methodology for solving the three-dimensional Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations is used to compute current-voltage relations for ion permeation through the gramicidin A ion channel embedded in membranes characterized by surface dipoles and/or surface charge. Comparisons to a variety of experimental results, presented herein, have proven largely successful. Strengths and weaknesses of the method are discussed.