Generalized Model of Cooperative Covalent Polymerization: Connecting the Supramolecular Binding Interactions with the Catalytic Behavior

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02606
• Publication Date: 2022-03-01T12:39:22Z
• Authors: Hailin Fu; Ryan Baumgartner; Ziyuan Song; Chongyi Chen; Jianjun Cheng; Yao Lin
• Keywords: Cooperativity; Non-covalent interactions

The dynamic assembly of actin and tubulin microfilaments from their subunits is imperative in enabling cell motility, division, organismal muscle function. nucleation-controlled growth kinetics that characterizes these protein polymerizations facilitated by the cooperative reversible noncovalent interactions subunits. Although this has been realized supramolecular polymerization numerous synthetic molecules, it rare covalent since a binding event between monomer polymer must also lead to catalysis polymerization. ring-opening N-carboxyanhydride monomers one such system shown result large degrees cooperativity self-acceleration depending on architecture. Herein, we apply recent experimental data introduce simple generalized kinetic model polymerizations, incorporating Michaelis–Menten-like equation into rate laws describe growing chain explicitly. treatment as both primitive “enzyme” with distinct not only increases applicability but reduces number variables used system. theoretical predictions are compared various levels cooperativity. application across broad range macromolecular architectures varying will help chemists discover similar mechanisms nonpolypeptide systems utilize them create analogues natural systems. can be extended cover variety cases which additional intermediates or competitive reactants occur reaction pathway