[Channel-forming proteins. III. Colicins].

A brief review is devoted to the results of the study of molecular mechanism interaction between membrane-active colicins and membranes in model systems. The data on physical-chemical properties of colicins most studied, the relationship between the structure and the properties of ion channels formed by them in membranes are given. The characteristics of such channels, the dependence of their functioning on the composition of aqueous medium and on transmembrane potential are discussed in detail. The hypotheses on the structure of colicin channels and experimental data concerning the size of their water pore ane considered.