https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2009-10483-9
Regular Article
Theoretical study of a membrane channel gated by ATP
Departament d’Estructura i Constituents de la Matèria, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
* e-mail: orlandi@ecm.ub.es
Received:
24
April
2009
Revised:
27
May
2009
Accepted:
2
June
2009
Published online:
4
July
2009
We study channel transport across biomembranes. We propose a model that couples the diffusive dynamics with the gating process via a two-state ratchet mechanism. This gating process is governed by ATP binding and hydrolysis, and the process exhibits Michaelis-Menten enzymatic kinetics. The particle flow and permeability of the channel are studied both analytically and numerically in the steady-state regime, while working between fixed concentrations. The results are compared with simpler models and with experimental data. Also, a simulation framework, that allows high flexibility in parameter exploration, is introduced.
PACS: 05.40.-a Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, noise, and Brownian motion – / 05.70.Ln Nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics – / 87.16.dp Transport, including channels, pores, and lateral diffusion –
© EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2009
