Optimal target search on a fast folding polymer chain with volume exchange

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex search dynamics of proteins locating a target on a rapidly folding DNA, considering multiple diffusion mechanisms and volume exchange, revealing optimal search conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model combining 1D diffusion, Levy flights, and volume exchange to analyze target search on fast-folding polymers.

Findings

Identification of parameter regimes for optimal search efficiency

Demonstration of the impact of chain folding dynamics on search times

Characterization of the interplay between different diffusion modes

Abstract

We study the search process of a target on a rapidly folding polymer (`DNA') by an ensemble of particles (`proteins'), whose search combines 1D diffusion along the chain, Levy type diffusion mediated by chain looping, and volume exchange. A rich behavior of the search process is obtained with respect to the physical parameters, in particular, for the optimal search.