Modeling the effect of a electric field on the dynamics of calcium ions in the calcium ion channel

Abstract

Calcium channels are cell membrane proteins that play an important role in controlling the Ca ion flux through the membrane. In this study, the effect of the external constant electric field on the dynamics of calcium ions in a L-type channel located within a stochastically fluctuating medium was modeled via the application of the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. The obtained results showed that application of the constant field of 0.03 V/nm did not show any significant effect on the ions motion. On the other hand, when the channel was exposed to a constant electric field of strength 0.3 V/nm, the ions directional motion along the applied field was observed. Furthermore, no net motion was observed when the field direction was changed. © 2019, Isfahan University of Technology. All rights reserved.