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Proton currents and protein motion in membranes
Author(s) -
Marvin D.A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(83)80235-x
Subject(s) - twist , helix (gastropod) , proton , alpha helix , crystallography , membrane , chemical physics , chemistry , biophysics , molecular physics , materials science , physics , geometry , nuclear physics , biology , biochemistry , circular dichroism , ecology , mathematics , snail
A mechanism is proposed whereby a proton gradient along a membrane‐spanning α‐helix is coupled to small changes in the torsional angles around the α‐helix peptide bonds. Small concerted changes in the torsional angles are coupled to a change in the unit twist of the α‐helix; a change in the unit twist is coupled to a change in the crossing angle between neighbouring α‐helices; and a change in the crossing angle is coupled to a change in the size and shape of an assembly of α‐helices. Following this logical linkage in one direction shows how a proton gradient could induce a pumping motion in an assembly of α‐helices; following it in the other direction shows how motion in an assembly of α‐helices could pump protons.