Shear-flow-induced unfolding of polymeric globules

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Sep 29;97(13):138101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.138101. Epub 2006 Sep 25.

Abstract

The behavior of a single collapsed polymer under shear flow is examined using hydrodynamic simulations and scaling arguments. Below a threshold shear rate gamma[.]{*}, the chain remains collapsed and only deforms slightly, while above gamma[.]{*} the globule exhibits unfolding/refolding cycles. Hydrodynamics are crucial: In the free draining case, gamma[.]{*} scales with the globule radius R as gamma[.]{*} approximately R{-1}, while in the presence of hydrodynamic interactions gamma[.]{*} approximately R. Experiments on the globular von Willebrand protein confirm the presence of an unfolding transition at a well-defined critical shear rate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Statistical
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Protein Folding
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Time Factors
  • von Willebrand Factor / chemistry

Substances

  • Polymers
  • von Willebrand Factor