Unfolding of proteins and long transient conformations detected by single nanopore recording

Abstract

We study the electrophoretic blockades due to entries of partially unfolded proteins into a nanopore as a function of the concentration of the denaturing agent. Short and long pore blockades are observed by electrical detection. Short blockades are due to the passage of completely unfolded proteins, their frequency increases as the concentration of the denaturing agent increases, following a sigmoidal denaturation curve. Long blockades reveal partially folded conformations. Their duration increases as the proteins are more folded. The observation of a Vogel-Fulcher law suggests a glassy behavior.