Plastic deformation of protein monolayers.

ABSTRACT: Globular proteins are peculiar solids that display both local stability of their conformation and the ability to undergo large cooperative changes of shape (conformational changes). If one forces a large deformation of the molecule, such that the structure is necessarily changed, it is not obvious whether the deformed globule can still remain a solid or whether it will melt. Is it possible to plastically deform a protein? Here we investigate this question with a micro-mechanical experiment on a small region (approximately 10 molecules) of a protein monolayer adsorbed on a rigid surface. For the two proteins studied, albumin and myoglobin, we observed that the molecules can be substantially deformed (approximately 1-2 nm deformation) by comparatively small stresses applied for sufficiently long times. The deformation is irreversible, and the protein remains in the solid state (i.e., displays a nonzero shear modulus). The dynamics of the deformation is approximately logarithmic in time, similar to creep in solids. These results show that globular proteins adsorbed on a surface can be plastically deformed.

SUBMITTER: Singh-Zocchi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1302309 | biostudies-other | 2002 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other