Surface diffusion as a rate‐enhancing mechanism in macromolecular association: The effectiveness of one‐ and two‐dimensional surface sliding

Abstract

AbstractThe effective rate for a macromolecular association can be increased if the molecules can be held together loosely by nonspecific surface forces while they search for the specific reactive sites. In this way steric constraints can be relieved. In extreme cases, a specific interaction site can be surrounded by extensive surfaces either essentially linear (e.g. a DNA site) or two‐dimensional (e.g. a membrane‐bound receptor). If ligands can bind nonspecifically and search these surfaces in a lower‐dimensional diffusion process, very substantial rate enhancements can be achieved under suitable conditions. The ranges of concentration and affinity of such nonspecific surfaces that can produce rate enhancements are derived and discussed. It is found that under the expected conditions in the living cell, such rate enhancements will be fairly modest. Nonetheless, nonspecific surface diffusion may play an important role.