Nitric oxide (II) diffusion through a model two-component (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine molecules) biological membrane is investigated using the molecular dynamics method. It is shown that NO molecules are rotating in the process of diffusion into the phospholipid bilayer. The calculated diffusion coefficient D [NO] = 0.35 (±0.23) × 10-5 (cm2/s) is in a good agreement with literature data. This testifies that free diffusion of NO molecules may be a plausible mechanism of the NO permeation through the membranes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-238
Number of pages8
JournalBiochemistry (Moscow) Supplement Series A: Membrane and Cell Biology
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

    Research areas

  • Biological membranes, Diffusion, Molecular dynamics, Nitric oxide (II)

ID: 89839977