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Directed motion emerging from two coupled random processes: Translocation of a chain through a membrane nanopore driven by binding proteins

T. Ambjoernsson·M. A. Lomholt·R. Metzler
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Abstract

We investigate the translocation of a stiff polymer consisting of M monomers through a nanopore in a membrane, in the presence of binding particles (chaperones) that bind onto the polymer, and partially prevent backsliding of the polymer through the pore. The process is characterized by the rates: k for the polymer to make a diffusive jump through the pore, q for unbinding of a chaperone, and the rate q kappa for binding (with a binding strength kappa); except for the case of no binding kappa=0 the presence of the chaperones give rise to an effective force that drives the translocation process. Based on a (2+1) variate master equation, we study in detail the coupled dynamics of diffusive translocation and (partial) rectification by the binding proteins. In particular, we calculate the mean translocation time as a function of the various physical parameters.

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T. Ambjoernsson, M. A. Lomholt, R. Metzler. 2005-08-21. Directed motion emerging from two coupled random processes: Translocation of a chain through a membrane nanopore driven by binding proteins. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984%2F17%2F47%2F021

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