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Sterically driven current reversal in a molecular motor model.

Authors :
Albaugh, Alex
Geyao Gu
Gingrich, Todd R.
Source :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 8/15/2023, Vol. 120 Issue 33, p1-8. 20p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Simulations can help unravel the complicated ways in which molecular structure determines function. Here, we use molecular simulations to show how slight alterations of a molecular motor's structure can cause the motor's typical dynamical behavior to reverse directions. Inspired by autonomous synthetic catenane motors, we study the molecular dynamics of a minimal motor model, consisting of a shuttling ring that moves along a track containing interspersed binding sites and catalytic sites. The binding sites attract the shuttling ring while the catalytic sites speed up a reaction between molecular species, which can be thought of as fuel and waste. When that fuel and waste are held in nonequilibrium steady-state concentrations, the free energy from the reaction drives directed motion of the shuttling ring along the track. Using this model and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics, we show that the shuttling ring's direction can be reversed by simply adjusting the spacing between binding and catalytic sites on the track. We present a steric mechanism behind the current reversal, supported by kinetic measurements from the simulations. These results demonstrate how molecular simulation can guide future development of artificial molecular motors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00278424
Volume :
120
Issue :
33
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
173110211
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2210500120