Biological Relevance of Forced Unfolding

Z disc (N-terminus) Start of A-band (C-terminus) --------------l-band---------------------------- - 

Pulling was applied in a single direction in line with the N- and C-termini and away from the center of mass of the Ig-like domain. The force exerted on the pulled atom, F, is governed by the spring constant, k, where x is the displacement of the pulled atom from its original position at velocity, v (Eq. [5]). 

Forced unfolding simulations have also been applied to globular proteins to determine whether the unfolding response mimics that observed for 

A force-dependent switch between unfolding mechanisms identified for protein 

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