Random binding of dimers to chains

Jerome K. Percus, Ora E. Percus, Alan S. Perelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We develop a probabilistic model for the binding of a small linear polymer to a larger chain. We assume that we can approximate the energy of interaction of the two chains by summing the pairwise interactions between subunits. Because the energy of interaction between a pair of subunits can depend on neighboring subunits, which we assume vary along the chain, we assign the pairwise energies of interactions according to a specified probability distribution. Thus we develop a statistical model for the binding of two molecules. While such models may not be appropriate for studying the interaction of a particular pair of molecules, they can provide insight into questions that deal with populations of molecules, such as why do MHC molecules bind peptides of a certain size? Here we analyze in detail the special case of a heterodimer binding to a polymer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)278-294
Number of pages17
JournalJournal Of Mathematical Biology
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2000

Keywords

  • Binding
  • Dimers
  • MHC
  • Probability Theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Applied Mathematics

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