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Self-organized enhancement of conductivity in biological ion channels
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Tindjong, Rodrigue, Kaufman, Igor, Luchinsky, Dmittri G., McClintock, P. V. E., Khovanov, I. A. and Eisenberg, Robert S. (2013) Self-organized enhancement of conductivity in biological ion channels. New Journal of Physics, Volume 15 (Number 10). Article number 103005. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/15/10/103005
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WRAP_Khovanov_0870568-es-081013-1367-2630_15_10_103005.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (630Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/15/10/103005
Abstract
We discuss an example of self-organization in a biological system. It arises from long-range ion–ion interactions, and it leads us to propose a new kind of enhanced conduction in ion channels. The underlying mechanism involves charge fluctuations near the channel mouth, amplified by the mismatch between the relative permittivities of water and the protein of the channel walls. We use Brownian dynamics simulations to show that, as in conventional 'knock on' permeation, these interactions can strongly enhance the channel current; but unlike the conventional mechanism, the enhancement occurs without the instigating bath ion entering the channel. The transition between these two mechanisms is clearly demonstrated, emphasizing their distinction. A simple model accurately reproduces the observed phenomena. We point out that electrolyte plus protein of low relative permittivity are universal in living systems, so that long-range ion–ion correlations of the kind considered must be common.
| Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
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| Subjects: | Q Science > QC Physics Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology |
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| Divisions: | Faculty of Science > Engineering | ||||
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Ion-ion collisions, Mathematical physics, Biological systems, Ion channels, Electrolytes | ||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | New Journal of Physics | ||||
| Publisher: | IOP Publishing | ||||
| ISSN: | 1367-2630 | ||||
| Official Date: | October 2013 | ||||
| Dates: |
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| Volume: | Volume 15 | ||||
| Number: | Number 10 | ||||
| Page Range: | Article number 103005 | ||||
| DOI: | 10.1088/1367-2630/15/10/103005 | ||||
| Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
| Publication Status: | Published | ||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Open Access | ||||
| Funder: | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) | ||||
| Grant number: | EP/G070660/1 (EPSRC) |
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