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The Davydov/Scott Model for Energy Storage and Transport in Proteins

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Abstract

The current status of the Davydov/Scott model for energy transfer in proteins is reviewed. After a brief introduction to the theoretical framework and to the basic results, the problems of finite temperature dynamics and of the full quantum and mixed quantum-classical approximations are described, as well as recent results obtained within each of these approximations. A short survey of experimental evidence in support of the Davydov/Scott model is made and absorption spectra are calculated that show the same temperature dependence as that measured in crystalline acetanilide. Future applications of the Davydov/Scott model to protein folding and function and to misfolding diseases are outlined.

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Acknowledgements

This article is dedicated to Al Scott, mentor, friend and, together with McClare and Davydov, a pioneer of the VES hypothesis. This work was funded in part by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and by POCI 2010 and the European Community Fund, FEDER.

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  1. CCMAR, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Leonor Cruzeiro

  2. FCT, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Leonor Cruzeiro

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Correspondence to Leonor Cruzeiro.

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Cruzeiro, L. The Davydov/Scott Model for Energy Storage and Transport in Proteins. J Biol Phys 35, 43–55 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10867-009-9129-0

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