Mechanical stability of proteins.
A number of experiments and experimentally based simulations showed that beta-proteins are mechanically more stable than alpha-proteins. However, the theory that might explain this evidence is still lacking. In this paper we have developed a simple elastic theory, which allows to estimate critical forces for stretching both kinds of proteins. It has been shown that unfolding of beta-proteins does really require notably higher forces as compared to the stretching of alpha-proteins.
Gabovich
A M
AM
Institute of Physics, Nauka Avenue 46, Kiev 03680, Ukraine. alexander.gabovich@gmail.com
Li
Mai Suan
MS
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017510:Protein Folding; D055550:Protein Stability; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D011506:Proteins