Dependence of protein mechanical unfolding pathways on pulling speeds

J Chem Phys. 2009 Apr 14;130(14):145102. doi: 10.1063/1.3106761.

Abstract

Mechanical unfolding of the fourth domain of Distyostelium discoideum filamin (DDFLN4) was studied in detail using the C(alpha)-Go model. We show that unfolding pathways of this protein depend on the pulling speed. The agreement between theoretical and experimental results on the sequencing of unfolding events is achieved at low loading rates. The unfolding free energy landscape is also constructed using dependencies of unfolding forces on pulling speeds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computer Simulation
  • Contractile Proteins / chemistry*
  • Dictyostelium / chemistry*
  • Filamins
  • Microfilament Proteins / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry*
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Contractile Proteins
  • Filamins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Protozoan Proteins