View source for Physics:Facilitated diffusion

{{short description|Biological process}}
[[Image:Scheme facilitated diffusion in cell membrane-en.svg|thumb|300px|right|Facilitated diffusion in cell membrane, showing [[Biology:Ion channel|ion channel]]s and carrier proteins]]

'''Facilitated diffusion''' (also known as '''facilitated transport''' or '''passive-mediated transport''') is the process of spontaneous [[Biology:Passive transport|passive transport]] (as opposed to [[Biology:Active transport|active transport]]) of molecules or ions across a [[Biology:Biological membrane|biological membrane]] via specific [[Biology:Transmembrane protein|transmembrane integral proteins]].<ref name="isbn0-471-41759-9">{{cite book |vauthors = Pratt CA, Voet D, Voet JG  |title=Fundamentals of biochemistry upgrade |publisher=Wiley |location=New York |year=2002 |pages=264–266 |isbn=0-471-41759-9 }}</ref> Being passive, facilitated transport does not directly require chemical energy from [[Chemistry:Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]] hydrolysis in the transport step itself; rather, molecules and ions move down their concentration gradient reflecting its diffusive nature.
[[File:Facilitated Diffusion.svg|thumb|Insoluble molecules diffusing through an integral protein.]]
Facilitated diffusion differs from simple [[Physics:Diffusion|diffusion]] in several ways: 

# The transport relies on molecular binding between the cargo and the membrane-embedded channel or carrier protein.
# The rate of facilitated diffusion is saturable with respect to the concentration difference between the two phases; unlike free diffusion which is linear in the concentration difference.
# The temperature dependence of facilitated transport is substantially different due to the presence of an activated binding event, as compared to free diffusion where the dependence on temperature is mild.<ref>{{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Morton|title=Principles and models of biological transport|date=2008|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-0387-79239-2}}</ref>

[[File:Blausen 0394 Facilitated Diffusion.png|thumb|350px|3D rendering of facilitated diffusion]]
Polar molecules and large ions dissolved in water cannot diffuse freely across the plasma membrane due to the [[Chemistry:Hydrophobe|hydrophobic]] nature of the fatty acid tails of the [[Chemistry:Phospholipid|phospholipid]]s that comprise the [[Biology:Lipid bilayer|lipid bilayer]]. Only small, non-polar molecules, such as [[Chemistry:Oxygen|oxygen]] and [[Chemistry:Carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]], can diffuse easily across the membrane. Hence, small polar molecules are transported by proteins in the form of transmembrane channels. These channels are gated, meaning that they open and close, and thus deregulate the flow of ions or small polar molecules across [[Biology:Cell membrane|membranes]], sometimes against the osmotic gradient. Larger molecules are transported by transmembrane carrier proteins, such as [[Biology:Permease|permease]]s, that change their conformation as the molecules are carried across (e.g. [[Chemistry:Glucose|glucose]] or amino acids). 
Non-polar molecules, such as [[Chemistry:Retinol|retinol]] or [[Chemistry:Lipid|lipid]]s, are poorly soluble in water. They are transported through aqueous compartments of cells or through extracellular space by water-soluble carriers (e.g. retinol binding protein).  The metabolites are not altered because no energy is required for facilitated diffusion. Only permease changes its shape in order to transport metabolites. The form of transport through a cell membrane in which a metabolite is modified is called [[Biology:PEP group translocation|group translocation]] transportation.

Glucose, sodium ions, and chloride ions are just a few examples of molecules and ions that must efficiently cross the plasma membrane but to which the lipid bilayer of the membrane is virtually impermeable. Their transport must therefore be "facilitated" by proteins that span the membrane and provide an alternative route or bypass mechanism. Some examples of proteins that mediate this process are [[Biology:Glucose transporter|glucose transporter]]s, [[Biology:Organic cation transport protein|organic cation transport protein]]s, [[Biology:Urea transporter|urea transporter]], [[Biology:Monocarboxylate transporter 8|monocarboxylate transporter 8]] and [[Biology:Monocarboxylate transporter 10|monocarboxylate transporter 10]].
== In vivo model of facilitated diffusion ==
Many physical and biochemical processes are regulated by [[Physics:Diffusion|diffusion]].<ref name="KleninMerlitz2006">{{cite journal|last1=Klenin|first1=Konstantin V.|last2=Merlitz|first2=Holger|last3=Langowski|first3=Jörg|last4=Wu|first4=Chen-Xu|title=Facilitated Diffusion of DNA-Binding Proteins|journal=Physical Review Letters|volume=96|issue=1|pages=018104|year=2006|issn=0031-9007|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.018104|pmid=16486524|arxiv=physics/0507056|bibcode=2006PhRvL..96a8104K|s2cid=8937433}}</ref> Facilitated diffusion is one form of diffusion and it is important in several metabolic processes. Facilitated diffusion is the main mechanism behind the binding of Transcription Factors (TFs) to designated target sites on the [[Biology:DNA|DNA]] molecule. The in vitro model, which is a very well known method of facilitated diffusion, that takes place outside of a living [[Biology:Cell|cell]], explains the 3-dimensional pattern of diffusion in the [[Biology:Cytosol|cytosol]] and the 1-dimensional diffusion along the DNA contour.<ref name="pmid23349772">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bauer M, Metzler R | title = In vivo facilitated diffusion model | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 8 | issue = 1 | pages = e53956 | date = 2013 | pmid = 23349772 | pmc = 3548819 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0053956| bibcode = 2013PLoSO...853956B | arxiv = 1301.5502 | doi-access = free }}</ref> After carrying out extensive research on processes occurring out of the cell, this mechanism was generally accepted but there was a need to verify that this mechanism could take place in vivo or inside of living cells. Bauer & Metzler (2013)<ref name="pmid23349772"/> therefore carried out an experiment using a bacterial genome in which they investigated the average time for TF – DNA binding to occur. After analyzing the process for the time it takes for TF's to diffuse across the contour and cytoplasm of the bacteria's DNA, it was concluded that in vitro and in vivo are similar in that the association and dissociation rates of TF's to and from the DNA are similar in both. Also, on the DNA contour, the motion is slower and target sites are easy to localize while in the [[Biology:Cytoplasm|cytoplasm]], the motion is faster but the TF's are not sensitive to their targets and so binding is restricted.

===Intracellular facilitated diffusion===

Single-molecule imaging is an imaging technique which provides an ideal resolution necessary for the study of the Transcription factor binding mechanism in living cells.<ref name="HammarLeroy2012">{{cite journal|last1=Hammar|first1=P.|last2=Leroy|first2=P.|last3=Mahmutovic|first3=A.|last4=Marklund|first4=E. G.|last5=Berg|first5=O. G.|last6=Elf|first6=J.|title=The lac Repressor Displays Facilitated Diffusion in Living Cells|journal=Science|volume=336|issue=6088|year=2012|pages=1595–1598|issn=0036-8075|doi=10.1126/science.1221648|pmid=22723426|bibcode=2012Sci...336.1595H|s2cid=21351861}}</ref> In prokaryotic [[Biology:Bacteria|bacteria]] cells such as ''E. coli'', facilitated diffusion is required in order for regulatory proteins to locate and bind to target sites on DNA base pairs.<ref name="KleninMerlitz2006"/><ref name="HammarLeroy2012"/><ref name="pmid25166711">{{cite journal | vauthors = Brackley CA, Cates ME, Marenduzzo D | title = Intracellular facilitated diffusion: searchers, crowders, and blockers | journal = Phys. Rev. Lett. | volume = 111 | issue = 10 | pages = 108101 | date = September 2013 | pmid = 25166711 | doi = 10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.108101 | arxiv = 1309.1010 | bibcode = 2013PhRvL.111j8101B | s2cid = 13220767 }}</ref> There are 2 main steps involved: the protein binds to a non-specific site on the DNA and then it diffuses along the DNA chain until it locates a target site, a process referred to as sliding.<ref name="KleninMerlitz2006"/> According to Brackley et al. (2013), during the process of protein sliding, the protein searches the entire length of the DNA chain using 3-D and 1-D diffusion patterns. During 3-D diffusion, the high incidence of Crowder proteins creates an osmotic pressure which brings searcher proteins (e.g. Lac Repressor) closer to the DNA to increase their attraction and enable them to bind, as well as steric effect which exclude the Crowder proteins from this region (Lac operator region). Blocker proteins participate in 1-D diffusion only i.e. bind to and diffuse along the DNA contour and not in the cytosol.

==Facilitated diffusion of proteins on Chromatin==

The in vivo model mentioned above clearly explains 3-D and 1-D diffusion along the DNA strand and the binding of proteins to target sites on the chain. Just like prokaryotic cells, in eukaryotes, facilitated diffusion occurs in the [[Biology:Nucleoplasm|nucleoplasm]] on [[Biology:Chromatin|chromatin]] filaments, accounted for by the switching dynamics of a protein when it is either bound to a chromatin thread or when freely diffusing in the nucleoplasm.<ref name="pmid21405302">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bénichou O, Chevalier C, Meyer B, Voituriez R | title = Facilitated diffusion of proteins on chromatin | journal = Phys. Rev. Lett. | volume = 106 | issue = 3 | pages = 038102 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 21405302 | doi = 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.038102 | arxiv = 1006.4758 | bibcode = 2011PhRvL.106c8102B | s2cid = 15977456 }}</ref> In addition, given that the chromatin molecule is fragmented, its fractal properties need to be considered. After calculating the search time for a target protein, alternating between the 3-D and 1-D diffusion phases on the chromatin fractal structure, it was deduced that facilitated diffusion in eukaryotes precipitates the searching process and minimizes the searching time by increasing the DNA-protein affinity.<ref name="pmid21405302"/>

== For oxygen ==
The oxygen affinity with [[Biology:Hemoglobin|hemoglobin]] on [[Biology:Red blood cell|red blood cell]] surfaces enhances this bonding ability.<ref name="Kreuzer1970">{{cite journal|last1=Kreuzer|first1=F.|title=Facilitated diffusion of oxygen and its possible significance; a review|journal=Respiration Physiology|volume=9|issue=1|year=1970|pages=1–30|issn=0034-5687|doi=10.1016/0034-5687(70)90002-2|pmid=4910215}}</ref> In a system of facilitated diffusion of oxygen, there is a tight relationship between the [[Chemistry:Ligand|ligand]] which is oxygen and the carrier which is either [[Biology:Hemoglobin|hemoglobin]] or [[Biology:Myoglobin|myoglobin]].<ref name="pmid5042165">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jacquez JA, Kutchai H, Daniels E | title = Hemoglobin-facilitated diffusion of oxygen: interfacial and thickness effects | journal = Respir Physiol | volume = 15 | issue = 2 | pages = 166–81 | date = June 1972 | pmid = 5042165 | doi = 10.1016/0034-5687(72)90096-5| url = https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34087/1/0000368.pdf | hdl = 2027.42/34087 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> This mechanism of facilitated diffusion of oxygen by [[Biology:Hemoglobin|hemoglobin]] or [[Biology:Myoglobin|myoglobin]] was discovered and initiated by Wittenberg and Scholander.<ref name="pmid856316">{{cite journal | vauthors = Rubinow SI, Dembo M | title = The facilitated diffusion of oxygen by hemoglobin and myoglobin | journal = Biophys. J. | volume = 18 | issue = 1 | pages = 29–42 | date = April 1977 | pmid = 856316 | pmc = 1473276 | doi = 10.1016/S0006-3495(77)85594-X | bibcode = 1977BpJ....18...29R }}</ref> They carried out experiments to test for the steady-state of [[Physics:Diffusion|diffusion]] of oxygen at various pressures. Oxygen-facilitated diffusion occurs in a [[Physics:Homogeneous|homogeneous]] environment where oxygen pressure can be relatively controlled.<ref name="pmid5079218">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kreuzer F, Hoofd LJ | title = Factors influencing facilitated diffusion of oxygen in the presence of hemoglobin and myoglobin | journal = Respir Physiol | volume = 15 | issue = 1 | pages = 104–24 | date = May 1972 | pmid = 5079218 | doi = 10.1016/0034-5687(72)90008-4}}</ref>
<ref name="pmid5901041">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wittenberg JB | title = The molecular mechanism of hemoglobin-facilitated oxygen diffusion | journal = J. Biol. Chem. | volume = 241 | issue = 1 | pages = 104–14 | date = January 1966 | doi = 10.1016/S0021-9258(18)96964-4 | pmid = 5901041 | doi-access = free }}</ref> For oxygen diffusion to occur, there must be a full saturation pressure (more) on one side of the [[Chemistry:Membrane|membrane]] and full reduced pressure (less) on the other side of the membrane i.e. one side of the membrane must be of higher concentration. During facilitated diffusion, hemoglobin increases the rate of constant diffusion of oxygen and facilitated diffusion occurs when oxyhemoglobin molecule is randomly displaced.

===For carbon monoxide===
Facilitated diffusion of [[Chemistry:Carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] is similar to that of oxygen. Carbon monoxide also combines with hemoglobin and myoglobin,<ref name="pmid5901041"/> but carbon monoxide has a dissociation [[Physics:Velocity|velocity]] that 100 times less than that of oxygen. Its affinity for myoglobin is 40 times higher and 250 times higher for hemoglobin, compared to oxygen.<ref name="pmid5116656">{{cite journal | vauthors = Murray JD, Wyman J | title = Facilitated diffusion. The case of carbon monoxide | journal = J. Biol. Chem. | volume = 246 | issue = 19 | pages = 5903–6 | date = October 1971 | doi = 10.1016/S0021-9258(18)61811-3 | pmid = 5116656 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==For glucose==
Since glucose is a large molecule, its diffusion across a [[Chemistry:Membrane|membrane]] is difficult.<ref name="pmid8466187">{{cite journal | vauthors = Thorens B | title = Facilitated glucose transporters in eithelial cells | journal = Annu. Rev. Physiol. | volume = 55 | pages = 591–608 | date = 1993 | pmid = 8466187 | doi = 10.1146/annurev.ph.55.030193.003111 }}</ref> Hence, it diffuses across membranes through facilitated diffusion, down the [[Physics:Concentration gradient|concentration gradient]]. The carrier protein at the membrane binds to the glucose and alters its shape such that it can easily to be transported.<ref name="Carruthers1990">{{cite journal|last1=Carruthers|first1=A.|title=Facilitated diffusion of glucose|journal=Physiological Reviews|volume=70|issue=4|year=1990|pages=1135–1176|issn=0031-9333|doi=10.1152/physrev.1990.70.4.1135|pmid=2217557}}</ref> Movement of glucose into the cell could be rapid or slow depending on the number of membrane-spanning protein. It is transported against the concentration gradient by a dependent glucose [[Biology:Symporter|symporter]] which provides a driving force to other glucose molecules in the cells. Facilitated diffusion helps in the release of accumulated glucose into the extracellular space adjacent to the blood capillary.<ref name="Carruthers1990"/>

== See also ==
* [[Biology:Transmembrane channels|Transmembrane channels]]
* [[Biology:Major facilitator superfamily|Major facilitator superfamily]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.physiologyweb.com/lecture_notes/membrane_transport/facilitated_diffusion.html Facilitated Diffusion - Description and Animation]
* [http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Facilitated_transport Facilitated Diffusion- Definition and Supplement]
{{Membrane transport}}

[[Category:Diffusion]]
[[Category:Transport proteins]]

{{Sourceattribution|Facilitated diffusion}}