We introduce a topology-based nonlinear network model of protein dynamics with the aim of investigating the interplay of spatial disorder and nonlinearity. We show that spontaneous localization of energy occurs generically and is a site-dependent process. Localized modes of nonlinear origin form spontaneously in the stiffest parts of the structure and display site-dependent activation energies. Our results provide a straightforward way for understanding the recently discovered link between protein local stiffness and enzymatic activity. They strongly suggest that nonlinear phenomena may play an important role in enzyme function, allowing for energy storage during the catalytic process.

Selected papers of Professor Francesco Piazza:
[1] L. Bongini, D. Fanelli, F. Piazza, P. De Los Rios, S. Sandin and U. Skoglund. Freezing Immunoglobulins to see them move. PNAS , 101 , 6466-6471 (2004)
[2] F. Piazza, P. De Los Rios and Y.-H. Sanejouand. Slow energy relaxation of macromolecules and nano-clusters in solution. Phys. Rev. Lett. - 94, 145502 (2005)
[3] S. Ciliberti, P. De Los Rios and F. Piazza. Glass-like structure of globular proteins and the boson peak. Phys. Rev. Lett. - 96, 198103 (2006)
[4] S. Ciliberti, P. De Los Rios and F. Piazza, On the origin of the Boson peak in globular proteins. PLoS Computational Biology - 3 (6), e103 (2007),
[5] B. Juanico, Y.-H. Sanejouand, F. Piazza and P. De Los Rios. Discrete breathers in nonlinear network models of proteins. Physical Review Letters - 99, 238104 (2007)
[6] F. Piazza, P. De Los Rios and F. Cecconi. Temperature dependence of normal mode reconstructions of protein dynamics. Physical Review Letters - 102, 218104 (2009)
[7] N. Dorsaz, C. De Michele, F. Piazza, P. De Los Rios and G. Foffi. Diffusion-limited reactions in crowded environments. Physical Review Letters - 105, 120601 (2010)
[8] P. Csermely, K. Singh Sandhu, E. Hazai, Z. Hoksza, H. J.M. Kiss, F. Miozzo, D. V. Veres, F. Piazza, R. Nussinov. Disordered proteins and network disorder in network descriptions of protein structure,dynamics and function. Hypotheses and a comprehensive review. Current Protein and Peptide Science - 13(1), 9-33 (2012)
[9] Carlo Maffi, Marco Baiesi, Lapo Casetti, Francesco Piazza and Paolo De Los Rios. First order coil-to-globule transition driven by vibrational entropy. Nature Communications - 3, 1065 (2012)

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