A novel heterogeneous structure formed by a single multiblock copolymer chain

TL;DR

This study reveals a new heterogeneous globular structure in a single multiblock copolymer chain influenced by specific intra-chain interactions, resembling chromatin organization.

Contribution

It introduces a novel equilibrium globular structure with a checkerboard contact pattern formed by a multiblock copolymer with unique interaction rules.

Findings

Discovered a heterogeneous checkerboard-like contact distribution.

Identified boundary contact enrichment in the globular structure.

Modeled chromatin-like structures using specific copolymer interactions.

Abstract

We studied structures formed by a single $(AB)_k$ multiblock copolymer chain, in which interaction between A-type beads was purely repulsive, and B-type beads tended to aggregate. We studied how attraction between A-type beads and B-type beads affected the structure of the chain. We discovered formation of an equilibrium globular structure, which had unique heterogeneous checkerboard-like distribution of contact density. Unlike the structures usually formed by a single $(AB)_k$ multiblock copolymer chain, this structure had contact enrichment at the boundaries of A and B blocks. This structure was formed by a multiblock copolymer chain, in which B-type beads could form maximum two reversible bonds either with A-type or B-type beads, A-type beads could form maximum one reversible bond with a B-type bead, and interactions between A-type beads were purely repulsive. Multiblock copolymer chains with this type of intrachain interactions can model structure of chromatin in various organisms.