We review our joint experimental-theoretical effort on the folding of photo-switchable α-helices. The folding kinetics of these peptides is profoundly non-exponential, which is attributed to a partitioning of the unfolded state into several misfolded traps. These traps are connected to the folded state in a hub-like fashion with folding barriers of different heights. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a semi-quantitative agreement with the complex response observed in the experiment, allowing one to discuss the process in unprecedented detail. It is found that the nonexponential response is to a large extent introduced by the photo-linker used to initiate folding. Hence, folding of these cross-linked peptides emulates formation of a helical segment in the context of a globular protein rather than folding of an isolated peptide.
BT - Current Physical Chemistry C1 - 0154 DA - Jan 2012 DO - 10.2174/1877946811202010004 IS - 1 J2 - Curr. Phys. Chem. LA - eng M3 - Review Article N2 -We review our joint experimental-theoretical effort on the folding of photo-switchable α-helices. The folding kinetics of these peptides is profoundly non-exponential, which is attributed to a partitioning of the unfolded state into several misfolded traps. These traps are connected to the folded state in a hub-like fashion with folding barriers of different heights. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal a semi-quantitative agreement with the complex response observed in the experiment, allowing one to discuss the process in unprecedented detail. It is found that the nonexponential response is to a large extent introduced by the photo-linker used to initiate folding. Hence, folding of these cross-linked peptides emulates formation of a helical segment in the context of a globular protein rather than folding of an isolated peptide.
PY - 2012 SE - 4 SP - 4 EP - 11 T2 - Current Physical Chemistry TI - Complexity in protein folding: Simulation meets experiment VL - 2 SN - 1877-9476 ER -