The problem of long-range electron transfer in biological systems is
intensively studied in molecular biology both experimentally and theoretically with regard,
for example, to the electron transfer in the reaction center of photosynthesis, respiratory
chain of electron transport, etc.
The work at this problem was started at our Institute in the late 80’s.
In the papers
,
,
the problem of long-range electron transfer is treated using the model of self-consistent electron
extended states in proteins. According to this approach, the whole of the biomacromolecule takes
part in the formation of self-consistent states. The spectroscopic experiments with metal
containing heme proteins are accounted for by the properties of heme wave functions of the
electron, while the electron transfer is explained by the characteristics of self-consistent
extended states.
At the present time this physical theory yields correct values for the protein
reorganization energy and the dependence of the transfer rate on the distance between the reaction
centers in protein self-exchange reactions.
Figure shows the scheme of a self-exchange reaction in the complex
cytc/cytc
through an intermediate excited state (in the center):

The results obtained are of interest for a number of adjacent fields, such as physics and
chemistry of clusters which is being vigorously developed now on the frontiers of atomic and
molecular physics and the theory of condensed matter.