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Long-range donor-acceptor electron transport mediated by α helices
L S Brizhik1, J Luo2, B M A G Piette3
1Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine.
Physical Review. E
|January 23, 2020
Summary
This study demonstrates efficient electron transport along an alpha-helix polypeptide chain via polarons, achieving 90% efficiency even at physiological temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Quantum Chemistry
Background:
- Electron and energy transfer are fundamental processes in biological systems.
- Polypeptide chains, like alpha-helices, can mediate charge transport.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for designing molecular electronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long-range electron and energy transfer mediated by polarons on an alpha-helix.
- To determine the efficiency of electron transport between donor and acceptor molecules coupled to the polypeptide chain.
- To assess the stability of this process under physiological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Computational modeling of electron transfer dynamics.
- Simulation of polaron formation and propagation on an alpha-helix.
- Analysis of different coupling schemes between donor, acceptor, and polypeptide chain.
Main Results:
- Identified a specific coupling mechanism enabling efficient electron transport.
- Achieved up to 90% efficiency in electron transfer from donor to acceptor.
- Demonstrated the robustness of the polaron-mediated transport against thermal fluctuations at physiological temperatures.
Conclusions:
- Polaron-mediated electron transfer along alpha-helices is a viable mechanism for efficient charge transport.
- The described system shows potential for applications in molecular electronics.
- The process is stable under biologically relevant thermal conditions.
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