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Electroconformational Denaturation of Membrane Proteins.
- Source :
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences; 2005, Vol. 1066 Issue 1, p92-105, 14p
- Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Because of high electrical impedance of cell membrane, when living cells are exposed to an external electric field, the field-induced voltage drops will mainly occur on the cell membrane. In addition to Joule heating damage and electroporation of the cell membrane, the electric field-induced supraphysiological transmembrane potential may inevitably damage the membrane proteins, especially the voltage-dependent membrane proteins. That is because the charged particles in the amino acid of the membrane proteins and, in particular, the voltage-sensors in the voltage-dependent membrane proteins are vulnerable to the membrane potential. An intensive, brief electric shock may induce electroconformational damage or denaturation in the membrane proteins. As a result, the cell functions are significantly reduced. This electric field-induced denaturation in the membrane proteins strongly suggests a new underlying mechanism involved in electrical injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00778923
- Volume :
- 1066
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25178340
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1363.028