Effects of Electric Fields on Membrane-Bound Na, K-ATPase.

摘要

The Na, K-ATPase of human erythrocytes can transport Na+ and K+ against their respective concentration gradient using the energy supplied by an a.c. electric field. It is a model for studying the interaction of an electric field and a cell at the molecular level. The a.c. activation has an optimal frequency and an optimal field strength and ATP hydrolysis is not required. We have obtained a complete set of kinetic data and used them to construct the electroconformational coupling model. Analysis shows that an a.c. field can enforce conformational oscillation of the enzyme, thus, enabling it to transduce energy or signals. The model provides an efficient mechanism for cell-to-cell, tissue-to-tissue, and organism-to-organism communications. It may also help us understand the broad biological effects of electromagnetic field. Oscillating electric fields are also found to exert mechanical force on cell membranes. This phenomenon is under investigation. Keywords: Electric fields; Cell membranes; Enzymes; Biological effects; Sodium; Potassium. (KT)