The thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of protein folding

Authors

Prem P. Chapagain, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Physics

First Advisor's Name

Bernard S. Gerstman

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Xuewen Wang

Third Advisor's Name

James R. Webb

Fourth Advisor's Name

Brian A. Raue

Fifth Advisor's Name

David C. Chatfield

Date of Defense

6-2-2005

Abstract

The physics of self-organization and complexity is manifested on a variety of biological scales, from large ecosystems to the molecular level. Protein molecules exhibit characteristics of complex systems in terms of their structure, dynamics, and function. Proteins have the extraordinary ability to fold to a specific functional three-dimensional shape, starting from a random coil, in a biologically relevant time. How they accomplish this is one of the secrets of life. In this work, theoretical research into understanding this remarkable behavior is discussed. Thermodynamic and statistical mechanical tools are used in order to investigate the protein folding dynamics and stability. Theoretical analyses of the results from computer simulation of the dynamics of a four-helix bundle show that the excluded volume entropic effects are very important in protein dynamics and crucial for protein stability. The dramatic effects of changing the size of sidechains imply that a strategic placement of amino acid residues with a particular size may be an important consideration in protein engineering. Another investigation deals with modeling protein structural transitions as a phase transition. Using finite size scaling theory, the nature of unfolding transition of a four-helix bundle protein was investigated and critical exponents for the transition were calculated for various hydrophobic strengths in the core. It is found that the order of the transition changes from first to higher order as the strength of the hydrophobic interaction in the core region is significantly increased. Finally, a detailed kinetic and thermodynamic analysis was carried out in a model twohelix bundle. The connection between the structural free-energy landscape and folding kinetics was quantified. I show how simple protein engineering, by changing the hydropathy of a small number of amino acids, can enhance protein folding by significantly changing the free energy landscape so that kinetic traps are removed. The results have general applicability in protein engineering as well as understanding the underlying physical mechanisms of protein folding.

Identifier

FI14060144

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Chapagain, Prem P., "The thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of protein folding" (2005). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2112.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2112