TY - JOUR
T1 - Cooperativity in thermal and force-induced protein unfolding
T2 - Integration of crack propagation and network elasticity models
AU - Srivastava, Amit
AU - Granek, Rony
PY - 2013/3/25
Y1 - 2013/3/25
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875419654&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.138101
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.138101
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84875419654
SN - 0031-9007
VL - 110
JO - Physical Review Letters
JF - Physical Review Letters
IS - 13
M1 - 138101
ER -