1003.1269 (V. I. Teslenko et al.)

Novel mechanism for temperature-independent transitions in flexible
molecules: role of thermodynamic fluctuations    [PDF]

V. I. Teslenko, E. G. Petrov, A. Verkhratsky, O. A. Krishtal

Novel physical mechanism is proposed for explanation of temperature-independent transition reactions in molecular systems. The mechanism becomes effective in the case of conformation transitions between quasi-isoenergetic molecular states. It is shown that at room temperatures, stochastic broadening of molecular energy levels predominates the energy of low frequency vibrations accompanying the transition. This leads to a cancellation of temperature dependence in the stochastically averaged rate constants. As an example, physical interpretation of temperature-independent onset of P2X_3 receptor desensitization in neuronal membranes is provided.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1003.1269