Symmetry and dynamics of molecular rotors in amphidynamic molecular crystals

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1008213107
• Publication Date: 2010-08-06T03:06:03Z
• Authors: Steven D. Karlen; Horacio Reyes; R. E. Taylor; Saeed I. Khan; M. Frederick Hawt...; Miguel A. Garcia-...
• Keywords: Molecular machine; Molecular motor; Rotational dynamics; Molecular symmetry

Rotary biomolecular machines rely on highly symmetric supramolecular structures with rotating units that operate within a densely packed frame of reference, stator, embedded relatively rigid membranes. The most notable examples are the enzyme FoF1 ATP synthase and bacterial flagellum, which undergo rotation in steps determined by symmetries their rotators units. Speculating precise control rotational dynamics environments will be essential for development artificial molecular machines, we analyzed relation between symmetry order equilibrium set crystalline gyroscopes having axial ranges from two- to fivefold. site exchange frequency these molecules closely related crystals at ambient temperature varies several orders magnitude, up ca. 4.46 x 10(8) s(-1).