title: Defects in associating systems: example of actin.
abstract: A statistical mechanical model is given for linear associating systems that contain defects, using the double-stranded actin polymer as an example. We treat the system as a one-dimensional lattice that can desorb monomers (giving defects) using grand partition function techniques. The main difference from a standard adsorption problem is that the monomer units are also responsible for the structural integrity of the lattice (polymer) and if too many desorb the polymer will be broken. We use literature data to estimate the density of defects in the actin polymer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poland
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry*; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015233:Models, Statistical
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D001704:Biopolymers