2007/06/30 by Brice Juanico, Yves‐Henri Sanejouand, Yves-Henri Sanejouand +3 · 4 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Computer Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Biological system #Biology #Breather #Computer science #Function (biology) #Mathematics #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Nonlinear Photonic Systems #Nonlinear system #Physics #Process (computing) #Protein Structure and Dynamics #Quantum mechanics #Statistical physics #Topology (electrical circuits) #q-bio.BM
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.99.238104
published as Physical review letters vol. 99, 238104 (2007) · 4 pages, 5 figures. Minor changes
openalex publication_date 2007/12/07 · arxiv created 2007/12/21 · arxiv updated 2011/11/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We introduce a topology-based nonlinear network model of protein dynamics with the aim of investigating the interplay of spatial disorder and nonlinearity. We show that spontaneous localization of energy occurs generically and is a site-dependent process. Localized modes of nonlinear origin form spontaneously in the stiffest parts of the structure and display site-dependent activation energies. Our results provide a straightforward way for understanding the recently discovered link between protein local stiffness and enzymatic activity. They strongly suggest that nonlinear phenomena may play an important role in enzyme function, allowing for energy storage during the catalytic process.