Transport Driven by a Random Telegraph force in an Asymmetric Membrane Channel
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Date
2010-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Channel proteins that selectively conduct molecules across the cell membrane often exhibit
an asymmetric structure. By means of a stochastic model the channel asymmetry in the
presence of non equilibrium fluctuations can influence the transport through such channels
by a ratchet like mechanism. In general, the ratchet effect refers to the generation of
directed motion of Brownian particles in a spatially asymmetric (ratchet) potential in
the presence of non equilibrium fluctuations and externally applied time periodic force
with mean zero. Using this structure, Schulten and Kosztin [1] have numerically studied
the behavior of steady state flux by considering various cases of an external tilting force.
Being interested in seeking analytical results, we model the potential of the channel by a
ratchet like potential and obtain analytical expressions for the steady state flux of glycerol
through the channel due to a concentration gradient, constant force, periodically switching
force and non equilibrium fluctuations of the cell membrane. In addition we compare our
results with the numerical results obtained in [1]
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Keywords
Transport Driven by a Random