Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 25: Posters: Molecular Motors

BP 25.5: Poster

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 17:30–19:30, Poster A

Efficiency of a tightly coupled molecular motor — •Eva Zimmermann and Udo Seifert — II. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart

Most molecular motors gain energy for their mechanical motion from the hydrolysis of ATP. We use a simple one-state-model for such a motor protein that performs a one-dimensional (discrete) stepwise motion within an aqueous solution containing non-equilibrium nucleotide concentrations. In our model, the motor protein hydrolyzes one ATP molecule per step which represents tight mechanochemical coupling.

Based on this model we numerically and within an approximation also analytically investigate dynamics and efficiency of the motor protein in the presence of an attached cargo. We are especially interested in the dependence of the motor protein’s behavior on different nucleotide concentrations as well as on several internal parameters of the model. Compared with recent experiments, the model seems to capture the basic properties of such a motor protein quite well.