Reproducibility in the unfolding process of protein induced by an external electric field

• The dynamics of proteins are crucial for their function. However, commonly used techniques for studying protein structures are limited in monitoring time-resolved dynamics at high resolution. Combining electric fields with existing techniques to study gas phase proteins, such as Single Particle Imaging using Free-electron Lasers and gas phase Small Angle X-ray Scattering, has the potential to open up a new era in time-resolved studies of gas phase protein dynamics. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we identify well-defined unfolding pathways of a protein, induced by experimentally achievable external electric fields. Our simulations show that strong electric fields in conjunction with short pulsed X-ray sources such as Free-electron Lasers can be a new path for imaging dynamics of gas-phase proteins at high spatial and temporal resolution.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biofysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biophysics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)