Simulating the equation of state of model globular proteins adsorbed at a surface

Monte Carlo computer simulation is used to follow the adsorption of a model globular and disordered protein at a hard surface and to simulate the surface equation of state for these molecules. The simulation utilizes the deformable globule model where the "protein" is treated as a collection of interacting subunits. Disordered globules are modeled as athermal molecules, whereas globular molecules have a strong attractive interaction between subunits. The surface equation of state is modeled by applying a known pressure to an adsorbed globule and following the changes in adsorbed conformation. Simulated equations of state for the disordered and globular molecules show features that are observed in experimental surface pressure versus area plots. In particular the simulated equations of state show "kinks" that correspond to regions where the adsorbed globules undergo conformational changes as they lift away from the surface in response to the increased pressure. The model proteins follow Bull's equation at low surface pressures in a way that is broadly in line with results from experiment, and the changes in conformation as a function of surface pressure are in line with predictions by DeFeijter and Benjamins made using a soft-particle model for adsorbed proteins.