Solid-State Molecular Protonics Devices of Solid-Supported Biological Membranes Reveal the Mechanism of Long-Range Lateral Proton Transport.

ABSTRACT: Lateral proton transport (PT) on the surface of biological membranes is a fundamental biochemical process in the bioenergetics of living cells, but a lack of available experimental techniques has resulted in a limited understanding of its mechanism. Here, we present a molecular protonics experimental approach to investigate lateral PT across membranes by measuring long-range (70 μm) lateral proton conduction via a few layers of lipid bilayers in a solid-state-like environment, i.e., without having bulk water surrounding the membrane. This configuration enables us to focus on lateral proton conduction across the surface of the membrane while decoupling it from bulk water. Hence, by controlling the relative humidity of the environment, we can directly explore the role of water in the lateral

SUBMITTER: Ramanthrikkovil Variyam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10867892 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature