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Proton transport via the membrane surface.

Yuri Georgievskii1, Emile S Medvedev, Alexei A Stuchebrukhov

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.

Biophysical Journal
|May 23, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Surface diffusion acts as a proton antenna, significantly enhancing proton transport to membrane proteins like cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). This effect is crucial for efficient energy conversion in biological systems.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Proton pumps, such as cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), exhibit proton translocation rates exceeding bulk diffusion, suggesting a "proton antenna" mechanism.
  • This phenomenon is typically attributed to a specialized structure that collects protons near the channel entrance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and analyze a realistic phenomenological model for proton-collecting antennas on biological membranes.
  • To derive and investigate the coupled surface-bulk proton diffusion mechanism and its impact on proton transport efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a model incorporating a homogeneous membrane surface with protolytic groups in equilibrium with the solution.
  • Derivation and analysis of equations describing coupled surface-bulk proton diffusion.
  • Formulation of a criterion for surface diffusion enhancement and calculation of the enhancement factor.

Main Results:

  • A general expression for the rate constant of proton transport via coupled surface-bulk diffusion was obtained.
  • The enhancement factor depends on surface/bulk diffusion ratios, pK(a) values, and protolytic group concentration.
  • The model predicts proton travel distances on the surface, which are longer in aqueous solutions (microns) and shorter in buffered solutions (nanometers).

Conclusions:

  • Surface diffusion significantly enhances proton flow to membrane targets, with enhancement factors of tens to hundreds at physiological buffer concentrations.
  • The findings provide insights into the efficiency of proton transport in biological systems, relevant to chemiosmotic theory.
  • The study defines a capture radius and effective size for proton antennas, elucidating their functional characteristics.

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