Concerted motion of protons in hydrogen bonds of DNA-type molecules

We study the dynamical behavior of proton transfer in hydrogen bonds in the base pairs of double helices of the DNA type. Under the assumption that th e elastic and tunnelling degrees of freedom may be coupled, we derive a non linear and nonlocal Schrodinger equation (NLNLS) that describes the concert ed motion of the proton tunnelling. Rough estimates of the solutions to the NLNLS show an intimate interplay between the concerted tunnelling of proto ns and the symmetry of the double helix. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodic a".