Theoretical evaluation of cell membrane ion channel activation by applied magnetic fields

Citation
Tg. St Pierre et J. Dobson, Theoretical evaluation of cell membrane ion channel activation by applied magnetic fields, EUR BIOPHYS, 29(6), 2000, pp. 455-456
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS
ISSN journal
01757571 → ACNP
Volume
29
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
455 - 456
Database
ISI
SICI code
0175-7571(2000)29:6<455:TEOCMI>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
This letter re-examines a recently published calculation of the forces exer ted on a membrane ion channel by a cation passing through in the presence o f an externally applied magnetic field. We show here, in contradiction to t he originally published calculation, that the forces generated due to the L orentz force of the magnetic field on the cation are negligible compared wi th the forces required to activate an ion channel protein conformation chan ge associated with the gating of the channel.