About 20 years ago, I published a book in Japanese under the title “Biological Oscillatory Reactions”. In addition to the BZ reaction and oscillatory reactions caused by allosteric enzymes, we introduced oscillatory reactions that utilize membranes or oil/water interfaces. I also discovered and calcium oscillation by simple method.
Subsequently, using semipermeable membranes as a model of biological membranes, we confirmed that many enzymatic reactions cause vibrational reactions. Furthermore, we used an actual mitochondrial membrane instead of a model membrane and confirmed that NADH and ATP oscillate finally. Therefore, I decided to compile and publish my achievements so far.
In Chapter 1, we gave an overview of oscillatory reactions. At first, I explained that there are oscillatory reactions that are caused by autocatalytic mechanisms or allosteric mechanisms that cause oscillatory reactions. In addition to oscillatory reactions caused by these factors, It was found that there are also oscillatory reactions of enzymes associated with membrane permeation of substrates. Generally, if the substrate and enzyme are mixed together at the beginning, no oscillatory reaction occurs, but as the substrate slowly permeates through the mixture, an oscillatory reaction occurs. Since many reactions in living organisms are enzymatic reactions mediated by membranes, this suggests that there is a possibility of discovering oscillatory reactions of enzymes that have not been observed until now. Oscillatory reactions occur in a nonlinear open/non-equilibrium state far from equilibrium. The presence of membranes in living organisms creates a nonlinear, open, non-equilibrium state. Therefore, in Chapter 2, we explained why the existence of biological membranes creates a nonlinear open/non-equilibrium state, and explained the structure of biological membranes and how they permeate through membranes. We also introduced ATP, which is the energy source of living organisms.
We found that by using a semipermeable membrane, the substrate slowly permeates through the membrane, causing an oscillatory reaction of the enzyme. Since vibrational reactions should occur even when using actual biological membranes, we thought that it would be possible to use mitochondrial membranes to generate ATP vibrational reactions. Therefore, we confirmed through model experiments using semipermeable membranes and actual experiments using mitochondria that NADH and ATP occur within mitochondria.
Chapter 5 explained signal transduction. Since there are many reactions involving membranes in this process, it is possible that oscillatoryl reactions are occurring. Therefore, in Chapter 6, we introduced the oscillations of acetylcholine and calcium. It is suggested that many other oscillatory reactions may occur during the signal transduction process.
In Chapter 6, we considered the application of the oscillatory reaction. Various applications are expected.
Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Mikie Nishimura and our students in the laboratory for their cooperation in publishing this book.
