Enzyme as Maxwell’s Demon: Steady-State Deviation from Chemical Equilibrium by Enhanced Enzyme Diffusion
Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 038401 – Published 21 January, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/flv6-zw1v
Abstract
Enhanced enzyme diffusion (EED), in which the diffusion coefficient of an enzyme transiently increases during catalysis, has been extensively reported experimentally, although its existence remains under debate. In this Letter, we investigate what macroscopic consequences would arise if EED exists. Through numerical simulations and theoretical analysis, we demonstrate that such enzymes can act as Maxwell’s demons: They use their enhanced diffusion as a memory of the previous catalytic reaction, to gain information and drive steady-state chemical concentrations away from chemical equilibrium. Our theoretical analysis identifies the conditions under which this process could operate and discusses its possible biological relevance.
