Thermodynamic Perspectives on Molecular Motors: Energy Conversion, Efficiency, and Non-equilibrium Dynamics
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Thermodynamic Perspectives on Molecular Motors: Energy Conversion, Efficiency, and Non-equilibrium Dynamics

Quanrui Chen 1*
1 University of Washington
*Corresponding author: chenquanrui040605@163.com
Published on 4 July 2025
Volume Cover
TNS Vol.125
ISSN (Print): 2753-8826
ISSN (Online): 2753-8818
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-233-1
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-234-8
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Abstract

Molecular motors are sophisticated protein complexes that transform chemical energy into directed mechanical motion, underpinning critical cellular processes such as intracellular transport, cell division, and muscle contraction. Operating far from equilibrium, these motors challenge classical thermodynamic descriptions, necessitating frameworks like stochastic thermodynamics and fluctuation theorems to describe their energy conversion, efficiency, and entropy production quantitatively. This review synthesizes theoretical understandings of molecular motor operation, highlighting the integration of stochastic thermodynamics with computational simulations and cutting-edge experimental techniques, including nanopore-based single-molecule measurements. Key topics discussed include mechanisms of motion, thermodynamic efficiency, performance trade-offs, and the essential role of entropy production in maintaining directionality. Finally, we identify unresolved challenges and suggest future research directions to deepen our fundamental insights and enhance practical applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Keywords:

Molecular motors, stochastic thermodynamics, entropy production, thermodynamic efficiency

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Chen,Q. (2025). Thermodynamic Perspectives on Molecular Motors: Energy Conversion, Efficiency, and Non-equilibrium Dynamics. Theoretical and Natural Science,125,1-7.

References

[1]. Iino, R., Kinbara, K., & Bryant, Z. (2020). Introduction: Molecular Motors. Chemical Reviews, 120(1), 1–4. https: //doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00819

[2]. Seifert, U. (2012). Stochastic thermodynamics, fluctuation theorems and molecular machines. Reports on Progress in Physics, 75(12), 126001. https: //doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/75/12/126001

[3]. Astumian, R. D. (2010). Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Molecular Motors. Biophysical Journal, 98(11), 2401–2409. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2010.02.040

[4]. Gennerich, A., & Vale, R. D. (2009). Walking the walk: how kinesin and dynein coordinate their steps. Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 21(1), 59–67. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.ceb.2008.12.002

[5]. Brown, A. I., & Sivak, D. A. (2020). Theory of Nonequilibrium Free Energy Transduction by Molecular Machines. Chemical Reviews, 120(1), 434–459.

[6]. Li, C.-B., & Toyabe, S. (2020). Efficiencies of molecular motors: a comprehensible overview. Biophysical Reviews, 12(2), 419–423. https: //doi.org/10.1007/s12551-020-00672-x

[7]. Pietzonka, P., & Seifert, U. (2018). Universal Trade-Off between Power, Efficiency, and Constancy in Steady-State Heat Engines. Physical Review Letters, 120(19). https: //doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.120.190602

[8]. Bustamante, C., Cheng, W., & Mejia, Y. X. (2011). Revisiting the Central Dogma One Molecule at a Time. Cell, 144(4), 480–497. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.01.033

[9]. Derrington, I. M., et al. (2015). Subangstrom single-molecule measurements of motor proteins using a nanopore. Nature Biotechnology, 33(10), 1073–1075. https: //doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3357

References

[1]. Iino, R., Kinbara, K., & Bryant, Z. (2020). Introduction: Molecular Motors. Chemical Reviews, 120(1), 1–4. https: //doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00819

[2]. Seifert, U. (2012). Stochastic thermodynamics, fluctuation theorems and molecular machines. Reports on Progress in Physics, 75(12), 126001. https: //doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/75/12/126001

[3]. Astumian, R. D. (2010). Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Molecular Motors. Biophysical Journal, 98(11), 2401–2409. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2010.02.040

[4]. Gennerich, A., & Vale, R. D. (2009). Walking the walk: how kinesin and dynein coordinate their steps. Current Opinion in Cell Biology, 21(1), 59–67. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.ceb.2008.12.002

[5]. Brown, A. I., & Sivak, D. A. (2020). Theory of Nonequilibrium Free Energy Transduction by Molecular Machines. Chemical Reviews, 120(1), 434–459.

[6]. Li, C.-B., & Toyabe, S. (2020). Efficiencies of molecular motors: a comprehensible overview. Biophysical Reviews, 12(2), 419–423. https: //doi.org/10.1007/s12551-020-00672-x

[7]. Pietzonka, P., & Seifert, U. (2018). Universal Trade-Off between Power, Efficiency, and Constancy in Steady-State Heat Engines. Physical Review Letters, 120(19). https: //doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.120.190602

[8]. Bustamante, C., Cheng, W., & Mejia, Y. X. (2011). Revisiting the Central Dogma One Molecule at a Time. Cell, 144(4), 480–497. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.01.033

[9]. Derrington, I. M., et al. (2015). Subangstrom single-molecule measurements of motor proteins using a nanopore. Nature Biotechnology, 33(10), 1073–1075. https: //doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3357

Cite this article

Chen,Q. (2025). Thermodynamic Perspectives on Molecular Motors: Energy Conversion, Efficiency, and Non-equilibrium Dynamics. Theoretical and Natural Science,125,1-7.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-APMM 2025 Symposium: Multi-Qubit Quantum Communication for Image Transmission over Error Prone Channels

ISBN: 978-1-80590-233-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-234-8(Online)
Editor: Anil Fernando
Conference website: https://2025.confapmm.org/
Conference date: 29 August 2025
Series: Theoretical and Natural Science
Volume number: Vol.125
ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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