title: Random binding of dimers to chains.
abstract: We develop a probabilistic model for the binding of a small linear polymer to a larger chain. We assume that we can approximate the energy of interaction of the two chains by summing the pairwise interactions between subunits. Because the energy of interaction between a pair of subunits can depend on neighboring subunits, which we assume vary along the chain, we assign the pairwise energies of interactions according to a specified probability distribution. Thus we develop a statistical model for the binding of two molecules. While such models may not be appropriate for studying the interaction of a particular pair of molecules, they can provide insight into questions that deal with populations of molecules, such as why do MHC molecules bind peptides of a certain size? Here we analyze in detail the special case of a heterodimer binding to a polymer.
authors.affiliation: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, NY 10012, USA. percus@cims.nyu.edu
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Percus
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Percus
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Perelson
mesh_terms: D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D011108:Polymers