Abstract:

Some new features of charge hopping transfers in proteins are reviewed in this article, which focuses on the structures and properties of solvated electrons, a possibly existing intermediate in the charge transfer processes in proteins, and their important role in assisting long range charge migration in proteins. Normally, there are a lot of groups, molecular fragments and electropositive zones in proteins, such as the protonated basic amino acid side chains, aromatic rings, polar peptide chains, helices and structuring water clusters, and so on, and they can capture and then electrons, playing a relay role in assisting electron hopping transfers. This kind of solvated electronbased electron hopping modes can be considered as a new pathway of longrange electron migration in proteins.
 

Key words: Electron transfer in proteins; Solvated electron; Electron transfer relay; Hopping mechanism; Structure units of proteins