Cooperativity in thermal and force-induced protein unfolding: Integration of crack propagation and network elasticity models

Amit Srivastava, Rony Granek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

We investigate force-induced and temperature-induced unfolding of proteins using the combination of a Gaussian network model and a crack propagation model based on "bond"-breaking independent events. We assume the existence of threshold values for the mean strain and strain fluctuations that dictate bond rupture. Surprisingly, we find that this stepwise process usually leads to a few cooperative, first-order-like, transitions in which several bonds break simultaneously, reminiscent of the "avalanches" seen in disordered networks.

Original languageEnglish
Article number138101
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume110
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Mar 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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