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Transition Path Times Measured by Single-Molecule Spectroscopy.

Hoi Sung Chung¹

¹Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 5 Memorial Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892-0520, USA.

Journal of Molecular Biology

|May 29, 2017

Summary

Researchers can now directly study the transition path, a crucial but fleeting moment in biomolecular folding. This advancement, using single-molecule spectroscopy, offers new ways to understand protein and nucleic acid folding mechanisms.

Keywords:

FRET energy landscape force spectroscopy nucleic acid folding protein folding

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Area of Science:

Biophysics
Physical Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Background:

The transition path represents a critical, short-lived phase in molecular dynamics where free-energy barriers are overcome.
This path contains essential mechanistic details of biomolecular folding processes, including proteins and nucleic acids.
Historically, probing the transition path has been challenging due to its brevity and infrequent occurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in experimentally probing molecular transition paths.
To connect these experimental findings with theoretical and simulation-based approaches.
To highlight the significance of transition path studies in understanding biomolecular folding.

Main Methods:

Utilizing single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to measure transition path times.
Employing single-molecule force spectroscopy techniques for transition path analysis.
Integrating experimental data with theoretical models and molecular simulations.

Main Results:

Recent technical progress enables direct observation of transition paths.
Single-molecule spectroscopy provides quantitative measurements of transition path times.
These measurements offer valuable insights into the kinetics and mechanisms of molecular transitions.

Conclusions:

Direct probing of transition paths is now feasible, revolutionizing the study of molecular dynamics.
Transition path times are key parameters linking experimental observations to theoretical predictions.
These studies enhance our fundamental understanding of biomolecular folding and function.