Formation and stability of secondary structures in globular proteins

Abstract

We study two models for the formation and packing of helices and sheets in globular (compact) proteins. These models, based on weighted Hamiltonian paths on a regular lattice both exhibit a first order transition between a compact high temperature phase, with no extended secondary structures, and a quasi-frozen compact phase, with secondary structures invading the whole lattice. The quasi-frozen phase with very weak temperature dependence, is identified as the native phase of proteins, whereas the high-temperature phase may be relevant to the so-called molten globule state of proteins