Solid-state electron transport across azurin: from a temperature-independent to a temperature-activated mechanism |
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Authors: | Sepunaru Lior Pecht Israel Sheves Mordechai Cahen David |
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Institution: | Departments of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. |
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Abstract: | The temperature dependence of current-voltage values of electron transport through proteins integrated into a solid-state junction has been investigated. These measurements were performed from 80 up to 400 K above the denaturation temperature of azurin (Az)] using Si/Az/Au junctions that we have described previously. The current across the ~3.5 nm thick Az junction was temperature-independent over the complete range. In marked contrast, for both Zn-substituted and apo-Az (i.e., Cu-depleted Az), thermally activated behavior was observed. These striking temperature-dependence differences are ascribed to the pivotal function of the Cu ion as a redox center in the solid-state electron transport process. Thus, while Cu enabled temperature-independent electron transport, upon its removal the polypeptide was capable only of supporting thermally activated transport. |
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