Cooperativity of Protein Folding and the Random-Field Ising Model

Abstract

The relation between cooperativity of protein folding and the Random-Field Ising Model (RFIM) is established. Generalization of the Imry-Ma argument predicts cooperative folding transition for small heterogeneity of the interactions stabilizing the native structure. Monte Carlo simulation of a lattice model shows that starting from some finite heterogeneity folding transition is not cooperative and involves formation of domains.