Theoretical perspectives on biological machines

Mauro L. Mugnai, Changbong Hyeon, Michael Hinczewski, and D. Thirumalai
Rev. Mod. Phys. 92, 025001 – Published 7 April 2020

Abstract

Many biological functions are executed by molecular machines, which like man-made motors are powered by chemical energy, released by adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis. They have evolved to transport cargo, facilitate folding of proteins and ribonucleic acids, remodel chromatin, and replicate DNA. Biological machines also serve as the most natural systems for illustrating emergent phenomena in nonequilibrium active systems, thus providing a great impetus to illustrate the general principles governing their functions. Despite their architectural diversity, physics-based theories have provided unifying themes of the inner working of nanoscale biological machines. The theories address questions such as how the trade-off between precision, energetic costs, and optimal performances are balanced. However, many complexities associated with biological machines require molecular level descriptions. Simple point mutations in the enzyme could drastically alter functions, result in unexpected diseases, or dramatically restrict the capacity of molecular chaperones to help proteins fold. These examples are reminders that, while the search for principles of generality in biology is intellectually stimulating and necessary, molecular details must be accounted for to develop a deeper understanding of their functions.

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  • Received 25 August 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.92.025001

© 2020 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Physics of Living Systems

Authors & Affiliations

Mauro L. Mugnai*

  • Department of Chemistry, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA

Changbong Hyeon

  • Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Seoul 02455, Republic of Korea

Michael Hinczewski

  • Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA

D. Thirumalai§

  • Department of Chemistry, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA

  • *mmugnai@utexas.edu
  • hyeoncb@kias.re.kr
  • mhincz@gmail.com
  • §dave.thirumalai@gmail.com

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Issue

Vol. 92, Iss. 2 — April - June 2020

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