Relevance of quantum mechanics on some aspects of ion channel function.
Mathematical modeling of ionic diffusion along K ion channels indicates that such diffusion is oscillatory, at the weak non-Markovian limit. This finding leads us to derive a Schrödinger-Langevin equation for this kind of system within the framework of stochastic quantization. The Planck's constant is shown to be relevant to the Lagrangian action at the level of a single ion channel. This sheds new light on the issue of applicability of quantum formalism to ion channel dynamics and to the physical constraints of the selectivity filter.
Roy
Sisir
S
Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India. sisir@isical.ac.in
Llinás
Rodolfo
R
D004058:Diffusion; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D019563:Mechanics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*
D007477:Ions; D015221:Potassium Channels