Proton conduction in bacteriophodopsin via a hydrogen-bonded chain with large proton polarizability

A Corey-Pauling-Kolthun molecular model of bacteriorhodopsin was built. This model shows that a largely structurally symmetrical hydrogen bonded chain asp, 6 tyr, glu may be formed. With regard to the total proton potential this chain shows very large proton polarizability and thus via this chain the positive charge can be conducted to the outside of the membrane via a Grotthus mechanism.