Novel mechanism for temperature-independent transitions in flexible molecules: role of thermodynamic fluctuations

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Apr 30;104(17):178105. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.178105. Epub 2010 Apr 29.

Abstract

A novel physical mechanism is proposed to explain the temperature-independent transition reactions in molecular systems. The mechanism becomes effective in the case of conformation transitions between quasi-isoenergetic molecular states. It is shown that at room temperatures, stochastic broadening of molecular energy levels predominates the energy of low-frequency vibrations accompanying the transition. This leads to a cancellation of temperature dependence in the stochastically averaged rate constants. As an example, a physical interpretation of temperature-independent onset of P2X{3} receptor desensitization in neuronal membranes is provided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane* / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane* / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurons* / chemistry
  • Neurons* / metabolism
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2* / chemistry
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2* / metabolism
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X2
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Thermodynamics*
  • Time Factors
  • Transition Temperature

Substances

  • Receptors, Purinergic P2
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X2