Philosophy of voltage-gated proton channels | Zendy

Thomas E. DeCoursey | Zendy; Jonathan P. Hosler | Zendy

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Philosophy of voltage-gated proton channels

Author(s) -

Thomas E. DeCoursey,

Jonathan P. Hosler

Publication year - 2013

Publication title -

journal of the royal society interface

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655

H-Index - 139

eISSN - 1742-5689

pISSN - 1742-5662

DOI - 10.1098/rsif.2013.0799

Subject(s) - gating , teleology , proton , ion channel , set (abstract data type) , voltage gated ion channel , perspective (graphical) , nanotechnology , computer science , physics , chemistry , biophysics , neuroscience , biology , epistemology , materials science , artificial intelligence , biochemistry , philosophy , quantum mechanics , programming language , receptor

In this review, voltage-gated proton channels are considered from a mainly teleological perspective. Why do proton channels exist? What good are they? Why did they go to such lengths to develop several unique hallmark properties such as extreme selectivity and ΔpH-dependent gating? Why is their current so minuscule? How do they manage to be so selective? What is the basis for our belief that they conduct H(+) and not OH(-)? Why do they exist in many species as dimers when the monomeric form seems to work quite well? It is hoped that pondering these questions will provide an introduction to these channels and a way to logically organize their peculiar properties as well as to understand how they are able to carry out some of their better-established biological functions.

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