Diffusional limits to the speed of protein folding: fact or friction?

Proteins fold by diffusional motion, driven by molecular collisions but limited by frictional drag. We then expect that the timescale of simple diffusional motions of the polypeptide chain defines the minimum time, or the maximum rate, for folding phenomena in general. However, such 'speed limi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2005-05, Vol.17 (18), p.S1503-S1514
Main Authors: Hagen, Stephen J, Qiu, Linlin, Pabit, Suzette A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anelasticity, internal friction, stress relaxation, and mechanical resonances
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Exact sciences and technology
Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter
Physics
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Summary:Proteins fold by diffusional motion, driven by molecular collisions but limited by frictional drag. We then expect that the timescale of simple diffusional motions of the polypeptide chain defines the minimum time, or the maximum rate, for folding phenomena in general. However, such 'speed limits' are very rapid. They far exceed the rate of folding that is observed in even the fastest-folding small proteins. Why do proteins fold much more slowly than the diffusional limits predict? We present experimental evidence that, in addition to solvent friction, internal dissipative forces within a protein can slow the dynamics. These internal friction forces may ultimately set a much more restrictive limit on the speed of folding.
ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/17/18/008