Physics of size selectivity.
We demonstrate that two mechanisms used by biological ion channels to select particles by size are driven by entropy. With uncharged particles in an infinite cylinder, we show that a channel that attracts particles is small-particle selective and that a channel that repels water from the wall is large-particle selective. Comparing against the extensive density-functional theory calculations of our model, we find that the main physics can be understood with surprisingly simple bulk models that neglect the confining geometry of the channel completely.
Roth
Roland
R
Max-Planck-Institut für Metallforschung, Heisenbergstrasse 3, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
Gillespie
Dirk
D
D000465:Algorithms; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D019277:Entropy; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D010316:Particle Size; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water