Membrane potential and surface charge densities as possible generalized regulators of membrane protein activities

Abstract

On the basis of experimental evidence accumulated in studies of coupling and other membranes a theoretical discussion of a "breathing" membrane structure dependent upon a changing transmembrane electrical (electrochemical) gradient is presented. In the case of certain membranes difference of electrical potentials across the membrane (Δψ) is considered as one of important driving forces for some membrane protein folding and/or the arrangement of subunits within some oligomeric proteins. Δψ changes may induce synchronous reversible energetically favourable transitions in the three-dimensional architecture of several spatially separated proteins of the biomembrane. A polyfunctional regulation of levels of activities of spatially separated membrane proteins may be achieved; in some cases alterations of Δψ and surface charge densities may fulfil function of a link in the chain of events triggering membrane-bound activities in response to external stimuli. © 1978.