Electron Tunneling in Biology: When Does it Matter?

ABSTRACT: Electrons can tunnel between cofactor molecules positioned along biological electron transport chains up to a distance of ≃ 20 Å on the millisecond time scale of enzymatic turnover. This tunneling range determines the design of biological energy chains facilitating the cross-membrane transport of electrons. Tunneling distance and cofactors' redox potentials become the main physical parameters affecting the rate of electron transport. In addition, universal charge-transport properties are assigned to all proteins, making protein identity, flexibility, and dynamics insignificant. This paradigm is challenged by dynamical models of electron transfer, showing that the electron hopping rate is constant within the crossover distance R* ≃ 12 Å, followed with an exponential falloff at longer

SUBMITTER: Mostajabi Sarhangi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10399179 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature