Random sequences with power-law correlations exhibit proteinlike behavior

J Chem Phys. 2007 Apr 14;126(14):145103. doi: 10.1063/1.2714944.

Abstract

We use a replica approach to investigate the thermodynamic properties of the random heteropolymers with persistent power-law correlations in monomer sequence. We show that this type of sequences possess proteinlike properties. In particular, we show that they can fold into stable unique three-dimensional structure (the "native" structure, in protein terminology) through two different types of pathways. One is a fast folding pathway and leads directly to the native structure. Another one, a more slower pathway, passes through the microphase separated (MPS) state and includes a number of intermediate glassy states. The scale and the magnitude of the MPS are calculated. The frozen state can be reached only by sequences with weak long-range correlations. The critical value for the correlation exponent is found, above which (strong correlations) freezing is impossible.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / ultrastructure*
  • Sequence Analysis, Protein / methods*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Proteins