The polyguanidinium complex of the glucose transporter: a possible basis for bistable cationic gates and anionic...

The detailed molecular structure and mechanism of action of the red cell glucose transporter would endow it with the ability to transfer the less hydrated potassium ion. This is prevented by a polyguanidinium-ring-complex cation which provides an effective electrical energy barrier. The ring complex has structural features which could form a bistable state of ring charges; in one form the electrical repulsions would be fully effective (gate 'shut'), whereas in the other form they would be ineffective (gate 'open'). It is also suggested that the polyguanidinium linkages could form a linear complex which could be the basis for anionic channels in biology. The theoretical basis for both these hypotheses is described.