Anomalous Diffusion of Water Molecules on Cell Membranes Investigated by Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Abstract

Due to the development of experimental single-particle tracking techniques, it has been revealed that diffusion of tracer particles differs dramatically from the laws of Brownian motion (normal diffusion), i.e., anomalous diffusion and aging. Here, using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we show anomalous diffusion and aging in the translational and rotational diffusion of water molecules on lipid membrane surfaces. Moreover, we provide evidence that two different physical mechanisms can describe this anomalous diffusion. The anomalous diffusion on the membranes may play an important role in providing unique environments for cell membrane functions.