Potassium, magnesium and membranes. Review of present status and new findings.

The interactions between magnesium, potassium and various membranes were examined. The different membranes chosen were: artificial, erythrocyte, cardiac, muscular, nervous, gallbladder, urinary bladder, mitochondrial and human amniotic. In general, Mg++ and K+ act on the cellular adhesion and on the stability of the membrane by forming bonds between the charges of the lipids and the proteins. Mg++ acts on the passive K+ transfer either by activation or inhibition. In addition, Mg++ acts on the K+ active transfer: the presence of Mg++ is essential to maintain the activity of the membrane (Na+K) adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase).