Pressure-induced water transport in membrane channels studied by molecular dynamics

From: Biophysical Journal | Date: July 1, 2002| Author: Zhu, Frangqiang; Tajkhorshid, Emad; Schulten, Klaus | Copyright information

ABSTRACT A method is proposed to measure the water permeability of membrane channels by means of molecular dynamics simulations. By applying a constant force to the bulk water molecules and a counter force on the complementary system, a hydrostatic pressure difference across the membrane can be established, producing a net directional water flow. The hydraulic or osmotic permeability can then be determined by the ratio of the water flux and the pressure difference. The method is applied and t...