Resonant energy transfer in electron-driven proton pumps

Abstract

We examine proton and electron transport in living cell membranes and show that the Coulomb interaction leads to a resonant energy transfer, from the electrons to protons during their simultaneous tunnelings, which allows the proton pump to work. The proton pump efficiency is controlled by the electron voltage build-up, external temperature, and the molecular electrostatics driving the electron and proton energies to their resonant conditions. We also show that physiological (e.g., human body) temperatures are optimal for the operation of this proton pump. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/57928/1/398_ftp.pd