Influence of ligand-receptor interactions on force-extension behavior within the freely jointed chain model.

Abstract

We study the influence of receptor-ligand interactions on the force response of single polymer chains theoretically. The extension of the chain is modeled in terms of freely jointed chain or elastic freely jointed chain (EFJC) models. The situation involving noninteracting bonds is solved exactly, while effects of interactions are treated within a mean-field approximation. The form with shorter bonds governs the low force situation, while the form with longer bonds is relevant in the high force regime. We further discuss the accuracy of approximate relations, which were used to describe the response of the EFJC model.