论文标题
分子自组装中的大小的选择驱动分子机的从头演变
Selection for size in molecular self-assembly drives the de novo evolution of a molecular machine
论文作者
论文摘要
机器的功能通常需要其零件的协同作用。该要求还适用于驱动重要的细胞过程并在其构象变化以及发生速率上施加限制的分子电动机。尚不清楚功能分子机所需的特征是否可以同时出现或需要对进化过程中不同选择压力进行顺序适应。我们通过理论上分析丝状跑步机的演变来解决这个问题。该过程是指线性聚合物的自组装，这些聚合物在相反的末端以相等的速度生长和收缩。它构成了一种简单的生物分子机器，该机器特别参与细菌细胞分裂，并要求满足几种条件。在我们的模拟框架中，由于选择目标平均聚合物长度而出现了跑步机。我们讨论了为什么其他形式的组装动力学（也达到施加的目标长度）在我们的模拟中不会发展。我们的工作表明，复杂的分子函数可以在选择下从从头开始发展，以获得单个物理特征。
The functioning of machines typically requires a concerted action of their parts. This requirement also holds for molecular motors that drive vital cellular processes and imposes constraints on their conformational changes as well as the rates at which they occur. It remains unclear whether features required for functional molecular machines can emerge simultaneously or require sequential adaptation to different selection pressures during evolution. We address this question by theoretically analyzing the evolution of filament treadmilling. This process refers to the self-assembly of linear polymers that grow and shrink at equal rates at their opposite ends. It constitutes a simple biological molecular machine that is notably involved in bacterial cell division and requires that several conditions are met. In our simulation framework, treadmilling emerges as a consequence of selecting for a target average polymer length. We discuss, why other forms of assembly dynamics, which also reach the imposed target length, do not evolve in our simulations. Our work shows that complex molecular functions can evolve de novo under selection for a single physical feature.
