Abstract
Using the dynamic Monte Carlo method, we investigate dynamics of semiflexible polymer translocation through a nanopore into laterally unbounded region between two parallel flat membranes with separation R in presence of an electric field inside the pore. The average translocation time τ initially decreases rapidly with increase of R in the range of R < 10 and then almost keeps constant for R ≥ 10, and the decline range increases with increase of dimensionless bending stiffness κ. We mainly study the effect of chain length N, κ and electric field strength E on the translocation process for R = 5. The translocation dynamics is significantly altered in comparison to an unconfined environment. We find τ ~ Nα, where the exponent α increases with increase of E for small κ. α initially increases slowly with increase of E and then keeps constant for moderate κ. α decreases with increase of E for large κ. However, α decreases with increase of κ under various E. In addition, we find τ ~ κβ. β decreases with increase of N under various E. These behaviors are interpreted in terms of the probability distribution of translocation time and the waiting time of an individual monomer segment passing through the pore during translocation.
Highlights
The transport of proteins and nucleic acids through a nanopore is of essential importance to life.Representative examples include DNA and RNA translocation across nuclear pores, protein transport through membrane channel, and virus injection [1]
We investigate the process of a semiflexible polymer translocation through nanopores into laterally unbounded spaces between two infinite parallel flat membranes by the dynamic Monte
We mainly study the effect of the electric field strength and bending stiffness on the translocation dynamics
Summary
The transport of proteins and nucleic acids through a nanopore is of essential importance to life. Luo et al employ Langevin dynamics simulations to investigate the dynamics of flexible polymer translocation into laterally unbounded spaces between two flat walls based on two-dimensional and three-dimensional model, respectively [39,40]. In two dimensions, they observe a nonuniversal dependence of the average translocation time τ on the chain length N [39]. In order to capture some realistic aspects of a DNA translocation through a nanopore into laterally unbounded spaces between two flat walls, the chain stiffness should be considered [43,44,45]. We mainly study the effect of the electric field strength and bending stiffness on the translocation dynamics
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