Multiparameter optimal control of F1-ATPase

TL;DR

This paper applies optimal control theory to F1-ATPase, revealing how dynamic manipulation of control parameters can enhance the enzyme's energetic efficiency, with implications for understanding molecular machine design.

Contribution

It demonstrates that efficient control protocols can be achieved through dynamic control of one or two parameters, providing new insights into molecular machine regulation.

Findings

Dynamic control of parameters improves efficiency.

Controlling a single parameter can suffice with a good static second parameter.

Access to new control degrees enhances performance.

Abstract

Biological molecular machines convert free energy between different forms in cells, often at high efficiency. Optimal control theory provides a framework to elucidate design principles governing energetically efficient driving. Here, we use linear-response theory to design efficient protocols exercising dynamic control of trap center and stiffness in a model of driven F1-ATPase. We find that the key design principles of an efficient protocol can be satisfied either by dynamic control of both parameters or by dynamic control of a single parameter and a good static choice for the second. These results illustrate that accessing a new degree of dynamic control provides varying performance improvements in different systems.