Quanta of Local Conformational Change: Conformons in alpha-helical proteins

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of conformons as quantum units of conformational change in alpha-helical proteins, highlighting a nonlinear interaction mechanism that produces solitary wave packets for energy transfer.

Contribution

It presents the conformon as a novel quantum of conformational change specific to alpha-helices, with a unique nonlinear interaction mechanism leading to solitary wave packets.

Findings

Conformons act as quantum units of conformational change.

Nonlinear interactions produce solitary wave packets.

The phenomenon is specific to alpha-helical proteins.

Abstract

We propose the conformon as a quantum of conformational change for energy transfer in alpha-helical proteins. The underlying mechanism of interaction between the quantum of excitation and the conformational degrees of freedom is nonlinear and leads to solitary wave packets of conformational energy. The phenomenon is specific to alpha-helices and not to beta-sheets in proteins due to the three strands of hydrogen bonds constituting the alpha-helical backbone.