Modulation of confined water dynamics in ion channels by terahertz electric fields
Xiaofei Zhao, Wen Ding, Hongguang Wang, Yongdong Li, Chunliang Liu
TL;DR
This paper explores how terahertz electric fields affect water dynamics in biological ion channels, offering insights into how these fields can modulate channel function.
Contribution
The study reveals frequency-selective modulation of confined water dynamics by terahertz fields, linking it to water–protein interactions and channel function.
Findings
Terahertz fields at 16 THz enhance water mobility in ion channels, while 24 THz suppress it.
Water mobility and orientational polarization in ion channels are strongly influenced by spatial confinement and water–protein interactions.
Field strength and direction determine how terahertz fields regulate confined water dynamics.
Abstract
Water confined within nanoscale environments exhibits dynamic behaviors distinct from bulk water, with profound implications for nanodevice function. Biological ion channels, as natural nanopores, represent ideal systems for investigating such confined dynamics. The dynamical properties of water molecules in the pore regions of voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels were systematically compared, and their responses to terahertz electric fields were examined using molecular dynamics simulations. Spatial confinement and water–protein interactions markedly reduce water mobility and induce strong orientational polarization. Terahertz electric fields produce frequency-selective effects: application of a 16 THz field perpendicular to the membrane enhances water mobility, whereas a 24 THz field suppresses it, indicating selective excitation of water vibrational modes that may modulate…
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Taxonomy
TopicsNanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies · Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks · Terahertz technology and applications