A generalised Davydov-Scott model for polarons in linear peptide chains

Luo, Jingxi; Piette, Bernard

Abstract

We present a one-parameter family of mathematical models describing the dynamics of polarons in periodic structures, such as linear polypeptides, which, by tuning the model parameter, can be reduced to the Davydov or the Scott model. We describe the physical significance of this parameter and, in the continuum limit, we derive analytical solutions which represent stationary polarons. On a discrete lattice, we compute stationary polaron solutions numerically. We investigate polaron propagation induced by several external forcing mechanisms. We show that an electric field consisting of a constant and a periodic component can induce polaron motion with minimal energy loss. We also show that thermal fluctuations can facilitate the onset of polaron motion. Finally, we discuss the bio-physical implications of our results.

Citation

Luo, J., & Piette, B. (2017). A generalised Davydov-Scott model for polarons in linear peptide chains. The European Physical Journal B, 90(8), Article 155. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2017-80209-2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 14, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 16, 2017
• Publication Date: Aug 16, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 3, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2017
• Journal: The European Physical Journal B
• Print ISSN: 1434-6028
• Electronic ISSN: 1434-6036
• Publisher: SpringerOpen
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 90
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: 155
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2017-80209-2
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1375931