Four-states phase diagram of proteins
arXiv:cond-mat/0509138 · doi:10.1209/epl/i2005-10225-9
Abstract
A four states phase diagram for protein folding as a function of temperature and solvent quality is derived from an improved 2-d lattice model taking into account the temperature dependence of the hydrophobic effect. The phase diagram exhibits native, globule and two coil-type regions. In agreement with experiment, the model reproduces the phase transitions indicative of both warm and cold denaturations. Finally, it predicts transitions between the two coil states and a critical point.
7 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Europhysics Letters