Modelling carbon dioxide molecule interacting with aquaglyceroporin and aquaporin-1 channels

Abstract

Aquaporin (AQP) is a family of membrane proteins that enable water and small individual molecules to permeate cell membranes. Examples of these protein channels are aquaglyceroporin and aquaporin-1 (AQP1). Here, we investigate the permeability of carbon dioxide (CO2) through both aquglyceroporin and AQP1 channels and explain their selectivity mechanisms. We provide a mathematical model which determines the molecular interaction potential between carbon dioxide molecule and an AQP channel. We evaluate this interaction using two approaches, namely discrete-continuum and completed discrete approaches. Both calculations agree well and our results indicate the acceptance of (CO2) molecule into these channels which is in good agreement with other recent studies. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.