Conductance of a biomolecular wire

Abstract

Carotenoids (Car) act as "wires" that discharge unwanted electrons in the reaction center of higher plants. One step in this "side-path" electron conduction is thought to be mediated by Car oxidation. We have carried out direct measurements of the conductance of single-Car molecules under potential control in a membrane-mimicking environment, and we found that when Car are oxidized conductance is enhanced and the electronic decay constant (beta) is decreased. However, the neutral molecule may already be conductive enough to account for observed electron transfer rates.