[Folding@home] Eigenvalues of the homogeneous finite linear one step master equation: applications to downhill folding

[BOINC_News]

J Chem Phys. 2012 Dec 7;137(21):215106. doi: 10.1063/1.4769295. ABSTRACT Motivated by the observed time scales in protein systems said to fold “downhill,” we have studied the finite, linear master equation, with uniform rates forward and backward as a model of the downhill process. By solving for the system eigenvalues, we prove the claim that in situations where there is no free energy barrier a transition between single- and multi-exponential kinetics occurs at sufficient bias (towards the native state). Consequences for protein folding, especially the downhill folding scenario, are briefly discussed. PMID:23231265...

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