Conformational transformations induced by the charge-curvature interaction at finite temperature

TL;DR

This paper investigates how thermal fluctuations and charge-curvature interactions can induce conformational changes in a closed filament, leading to polygonal shapes or kink formations, akin to second-order phase transitions.

Contribution

It introduces a model showing how charge-bending interactions at finite temperature cause conformational transformations, including polygonal shapes and kink formations, in closed filaments.

Findings

Circular aggregates can transform into polygonal shapes due to charge-curvature interactions.

Both hardening and softening interactions lead to conformational transitions.

The transition resembles a second-order phase transition.

Abstract

The role of thermal fluctuations on the conformational dynamics of a single closed filament is studied. It is shown that, due to the interaction between charges and bending degrees of freedom, initially circular aggregates may undergo transformation to polygonal shape. The transition occurs both in the case of hardening and softening charge-bending interaction. In the former case the charge and curvature are smoothly distributed along the chain while in the latter spontaneous kink formation is initiated. The transition to a non-circular conformation is analogous to the phase transition of the second kind.