A computational model of membrane lipid electronic properties in relation to neural signaling.
We present a computational model of a transiently-organized neural membrane molecular system with possible information-processing capacity. The model examines field-induced dipole and quadrupole moments and polarizability in monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric ethenes. Polarization of the ethenes is strongly indicated. This result is interpreted as a significant electronic feature of a molecular computing system based on organization of membrane lipids into a transient ( approximately 10(-4) s) crystalline state due to lipid-protein hydrophobic mismatch at the membrane-ion-channel interface. Predictive implications of the model's electronic features are briefly discussed.
Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816-2366, USA. hprice@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
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D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D005030:Ethylenes; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008563:Membrane Lipids; C036216:ethylene