title: Water as a complex system: its role in ligand diffusion, general anesthesia, and sleep.
abstract: The work and inspiration of Robert Rosen is stated and expressed in personal tones. The concept of passages through water (H2O) near protein surfaces is reviewed in terms of its influence on ligand diffusion to an effector. This is offered as a target for interference by a non-specific general anesthetic agent. In view of the similarities between this anesthetic state and sleep, this mechanism is proposed to be operative for the sleep/wake states. Based on this mechanism and other factors, nitrogen (N2) is proposed as an exogenous sleep factor.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Life Sciences, Suite 111, 1000 West Cary Street, P.O. Box 842030, Richmond, VA 23284-2030, USA. lbkier@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Lemont B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Kier
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D004058:Diffusion; D008024:Ligands; D012890:Sleep; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D014867:Water