Search

Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) makes it possible to investigate specific interactions between two molecules such as ligand-receptor pairs at the single-molecule level. In the DFS method based on the Bell-Evans model, the unbinding force applied to a molecular bond is increased at a constant rate, and the force required to rupture the molecular bond is measured. By analyzing the relationship between the modal rupture force and the logarithm of the loading rate, microscopic potential barrier landscapes and the lifetimes of bonds can be obtained. However, the results obtained, for example, in the case of streptavidin/biotin complexes, have differed among previous studies and some results have been inconsistent with theoretical predictions. In this study, using an atomic force microscopy technique that enables the precise analysis of molecular interactions on the basis of DFS, we investigated the effect of the sampling rate on DFS analysis. The shape of rupture force histograms, for example, was significantly deformed at a sampling rate of 1 kHz in comparison with that of histograms obtained at 100 kHz, indicating the fundamental importance of ensuring suitable experimental conditions for further advances in the DFS method.

Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) based on atomic force microscopy, which enables us to obtain information on the interaction potential between molecules such as antigen–antibody complexes at the single-molecule level, is a key technique for advancing molecular science and technology. However, to ensure the reliability of DFS measurement, its basic mechanism must be well understood. We examined the effect of the molecular linker used to fix the target molecule to the atomic force microscope cantilever, i.e., the force direction during measurement, for the first time, which has not been discussed until now despite its importance. The effect on the lifetime and barrier position, which can be obtained by DFS, was found to be ∼10 and ∼50%, respectively, confirming the high potential of DFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]