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Proton semiconductors and energy transduction in biological systems

Proton semiconductors and energy transduction in biological systems “It is not out of the question that an ion channel might be formed by a bundle of protein helices with non-polar side chains on the outside stretched between the faces of the membrane and containing at least one reversible chain of proton bonded polar groups in the interior, together with enough other polar groups to provide a somewhat flexible, local solvation for the ion. A few molecules, or even a thin column of water, may also be present. The mechanism produces different effects according to the availability of mobile defects. If mobile protons or protons vacancies as well as Bjerrum defects are available, the channel can transmit protons.” Although Onsager was primarily concerned with the active transport of ions in neural membranes, his statement had embedded within it a powerful suggestion as to the possible physical mechanisms for protondriven energy transduction. The subject of proton semiconductors thus moved from the sole domain of the physical chemist and must now be considered as potentially useful hardware in providing molecular mechanisms to explain cellular processes. Indeed, a primary purpose of this paper is to examine the possible role of proton semiconductors i .n a number of areas of biology. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology The American Physiological Society

Proton semiconductors and energy transduction in biological systems

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Publisher
The American Physiological Society
Copyright
Copyright © 1978 the American Physiological Society
ISSN
0363-6119
eISSN
1522-1490
Publisher site
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Abstract

“It is not out of the question that an ion channel might be formed by a bundle of protein helices with non-polar side chains on the outside stretched between the faces of the membrane and containing at least one reversible chain of proton bonded polar groups in the interior, together with enough other polar groups to provide a somewhat flexible, local solvation for the ion. A few molecules, or even a thin column of water, may also be present. The mechanism produces different effects according to the availability of mobile defects. If mobile protons or protons vacancies as well as Bjerrum defects are available, the channel can transmit protons.” Although Onsager was primarily concerned with the active transport of ions in neural membranes, his statement had embedded within it a powerful suggestion as to the possible physical mechanisms for protondriven energy transduction. The subject of proton semiconductors thus moved from the sole domain of the physical chemist and must now be considered as potentially useful hardware in providing molecular mechanisms to explain cellular processes. Indeed, a primary purpose of this paper is to examine the possible role of proton semiconductors i .n a number of areas of biology.

Journal

AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology – The American Physiological Society

Published: Sep 1, 1978

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