Statistical Mechanics Models in Protein Association Problems

Statistical Mechanics Models in Protein Association Problems
Author: Nelson Javier Ramallo
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2020
Genre:
ISBN:

Protein-Protein interactions can lead to disordered states such as precipitates or gels, or to ordered states such as crystals or microtubules. In order to study the different natures of protein-protein interactions we have developed statistical mechanics models in order to interpret the varied behavior of different protein systems. The main point will be to develop theoretical models that infer the time a length scales that characterize the dynamics of the systems analyzed. This approach seek to facilitate a connection to simulations and experiments, where a high resolution analysis in length and time is possible, since the theories can provide insights about the relevant time and length scales, and also about issues that can appear when studying these systems. The first system studied is monoclonal antibodies in solution. Antibody solutions deviate from the dynamical and rheological response expected for globular proteins, especially as volume fraction is increased. Experimental evidence shows that antibodies can reversibly bind to each other via F[subscript]ab and F[subscript]c domains, and form larger structures (clusters) of several antibodies. Here we present a microscopic equilibrium model to account for the distribution of cluster sizes. Antibody clusters are modeled as polymers that can grow via reversible bonds either between two F[subscript]ab domains or between a F[subscript]ab and a F[subscript]c. We propose that the dynamical and rheological behavior is determined by molecular entanglements of the clusters. This entanglement does not occur at low concentrations where antibody-antibody binding contributes to the viscosity by increasing the effective size of the particles. The model explains the observed shear-thinning behavior of antibody solutions. The second system is protein condensates inside living cells. Biomolecule condensates appear throughout the cell serving a wide variety of functions, but it is not clear how functional properties show in the concentrated network inside the condensate droplets. Here we model disordered proteins as linear polymers formed by "stickers" evenly spaced by "spacers". The spacing between stickers gives rise to different network toplogies inside the condensate droplet, determining distinguishing properties such us density and client binding. The third system is protein-protein binding in a salt solutions. Biomolecular simulations are typically performed in an aqueous environment where the number of ions remains fixed for the duration of the simulation, generally with a number of salt pairs intended to match the macroscopic salt concentration. In contrast, real biomolecules experience local ion environments where the salt concentration is dynamic and may differ from bulk. We develop a statistical mechanics model to account for fluctuations of ions concentrations, and study how it affects the free energy of protein-protein binding.

Lectures on Statistical Physics and Protein Folding

Lectures on Statistical Physics and Protein Folding
Author: Kerson Huang
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2005
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9812561439

This book introduces an approach to protein folding from the point of view of kinetic theory. There is an abundance of data on protein folding, but few proposals are available on the mechanism driving the process. Here, presented for the first time, are suggestion on possible research directions, as developed by the author in collaboration with C. C. Lin. The first half of this invaluable book contains a concise but relatively complete review of relevant topics in statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. It includes standard topics such as thermodynamics, the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and ensemble theory. Special discussions include the dynamics of phase transitions, and Brownian motion as an illustration of stochastic processes. The second half develops topics in molecular biology and protein structure, with a view to discovering mechanisms underlying protein folding. Attention is focused on the energy flow through the protein in its folded state. A mathematical model, based on the Brownian motion of coupled harmonic oscillators, is worked out in the appendix.

Theory of Phase Transitions in Polypeptides and Proteins

Theory of Phase Transitions in Polypeptides and Proteins
Author: Alexander V. Yakubovich
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2011-09-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642225926

There are nearly 100 000 different protein sequences encoded in the human genome, each with its own specific fold. Understanding how a newly formed polypeptide sequence finds its way to the correct fold is one of the greatest challenges in the modern structural biology. The aim of this thesis is to provide novel insights into protein folding by considering the problem from the point of view of statistical mechanics. The thesis starts by investigating the fundamental degrees of freedom in polypeptides that are responsible for the conformational transitions. This knowledge is then applied in the statistical mechanics description of helix↔coil transitions in polypeptides. Finally, the theoretical formalism is generalized to the case of proteins in an aqueous environment. The major novelty of this work lies in combining (a) a formalism based on fundamental physical properties of the system and (b) the resulting possibility of describing the folding↔unfolding transitions quantitatively. The clear physical nature of the formalism opens the way to further applications in a large variety of systems and processes.

Recent Developments in Theoretical Studies of Proteins

Recent Developments in Theoretical Studies of Proteins
Author: Ron Elber
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 422
Release: 1996
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9789810221966

Experts provide a unique and broad perspective of the theoretical tools available today to analyze protein structure and function. Topics at the frontier of computational biophysics, such as dynamics and thermodynamics of proteins, reaction path studies, optimization techniques, analytical theories of protein folding, sequence alignment algorithms and electrostatics of proteins are discussed in a pedagogical and complete way. Those entering the field will find the book to be a useful introduction. It will also serve as a complementary text to existing ones that focus on just one of the above subjects.

Statistical Physics On The Eve Of The 21st Century: In Honour Of J B Mcguire On The Occasion Of His 65th Birthday

Statistical Physics On The Eve Of The 21st Century: In Honour Of J B Mcguire On The Occasion Of His 65th Birthday
Author: Luc T Wille
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 536
Release: 1999-02-04
Genre:
ISBN: 9814544167

This volume is a collection of original papers and reviews in honour of James McGuire, one of the pioneers of integrable models in statistical physics. The broad range of articles offers a timely perspective on the current status of statistical mechanics, identifying both recent results as well as future challenges. The work contains a number of overviews of standard topics such as exactly solved lattice models and their various applications in statistical physics, from models of strongly correlated electrons to the conformational properties of polymer chains. It is equally wide ranging in its coverage of new directions and developing fields including quantum computers, financial markets, chaotic systems, Feigenbaum scaling, proteins, brain behaviour, immunology, Markov superposition, Bose-Einstein condensation, random matrices, exclusion statistics, vertex operator algebras and D-unsolvability.The level of coverage is appropriate for graduate students. It will be equally of interest to professional physicists who want to learn about progress in statistical physics in recent years. Experts will find this work useful because of its broad sweep of topics and its discussion of remaining unsolved problems.

Protein Interactions

Protein Interactions
Author: Volkhard Helms
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 436
Release: 2023-02-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3527348646

A fundamental guide to the burgeoning field of protein interactions From enzymes to transcription factors to cell membrane receptors, proteins are at the heart of biological cell function. Virtually all cellular processes are governed by their interactions, with one another, with cell bodies, with DNA, or with small molecules. The systematic study of these interactions is called Interactomics, and research within this new field promises to shape the future of molecular cell biology. Protein Interactions goes beyond any existing guide to protein interactions, presenting the first truly comprehensive overview of the field. Edited by two leading scholars in the field of protein bioinformatics, this book covers all known categories of protein interaction, stable as well as transient, as well as the effect of mutations and post-translational modifications on the interaction behavior. Protein Interactions readers will also find: Introductory chapters on protein structure, conformational dynamics, and protein-protein binding interfaces A data-driven approach incorporating machine learning and integrating experimental data into computational models An outlook on the current challenges in the field and suggestions for future research Protein Interactions will serve as a fundamental resource for novice researchers who want a systematic introduction to interactomics, as well as for experienced cell biologists and bioinformaticians who want to gain an edge in this exciting new field.