Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

DOI

10.1152/ajpcell.00196.2024

Publication Title

American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology

Volume

Advance online publication

Pages

1-91

Abstract

The transmembrane-electrostatically localized protons/cations charges (TELPs/TELCs) theory can serve as a theoretical framework to better explain cell electrophysiology and elucidate bioenergetic systems including both delocalized and localized protonic coupling. According to the TELCs model, the excess positive charges of TELCs at one side of the membrane are balanced by the excess negative charges of transmembrane-electrostatically localized hydroxides anions (TELAs) at the other side of the membrane. Through the TELCs-membrane-TELAs capacitor model, the energetics of oxidative phosphorylation have recently been better elucidated in mitochondria and alkalophilic bacteria, leading to the identification of a novel Type-B energetic process. Both the TELCs model studies and experimental demonstration results showed that the putative “potential well/barrier” model is not needed to explain TELPs formation. Application of the TELCs model to neural cells has recently resulted in novel neural transmembrane potential integral equations. In this review article, we will visit the TELCs-membrane-TELAs model and its applications including its features and predictions that may help better understand cell energetics. Meanwhile, we will also discuss some of the recent critiques and point out the opportunities and directions for future research. The TELCs model can be well predictive and provide new opportunities as a theoretical tool for further research to better understand cell physiology, bioenergetics, and neurosciences. This Landmark Review article timely provides the latest discoveries, breakthrough advances with new developments and knowledge, directions and opportunities for future research in a major emerging and exciting scientific area of protonic capacitor cell energetics: transmembrane-electrostatically localized protons/cations.

Rights

© 2025 The Author.

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0) License.

Data Availability

Article states: "All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article and in the cited references."

Original Publication Citation

Lee, J. W. (2025). Protonic capacitor cell energetics: Transmembrane-electrostatically localized protons/cations. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00196.2024

ORCID

0000-0003-2525-5870 (Lee)

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