PROTEIN-FOLDING DYNAMICS - THE DIFFUSION-COLLISION MODEL AND EXPERIMENTAL-DATA

The diffusion-collision model of protein folding is assessed. A descri ption is given of the qualitative aspects and quantitative results of the diffusion-collision model and their relation to available experime ntal data. We consider alternative mechanisms for folding and point ou t their relationship to the diffusion-collision model. We show that th e diffusion-collision model is supported by a growing body of experime ntal and theoretical evidence, and we outline future directions for de veloping the model and its applications.