Tracking electrons in biological macromolecules: from ensemble to single molecule

Molecules. 2014 Aug 6;19(8):11660-78. doi: 10.3390/molecules190811660.

Abstract

Nature utilizes oxido-reductases to cater to the energy demands of most biochemical processes in respiratory species. Oxido-reductases are capable of meeting this challenge by utilizing redox active sites, often containing transition metal ions, which facilitate movement and relocation of electrons/protons to create a potential gradient that is used to energize redox reactions. There has been a consistent struggle by researchers to estimate the electron transfer rate constants in physiologically relevant processes. This review provides a brief background on the measurements of electron transfer rates in biological molecules, in particular Cu-containing enzymes, and highlights the recent advances in monitoring these electron transfer events at the single molecule level or better to say, at the individual event level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Copper / chemistry
  • Electron Transport*
  • Electrons*
  • Ions / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oxidation-Reduction*
  • Oxidoreductases / chemistry*
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism

Substances

  • Ions
  • Copper
  • Oxidoreductases