%0 Journal Article %J J Chem Phys %D 2005 %T Thermal unfolding of proteins. %A Cieplak, Marek %A Joanna I. Sulkowska %K Chemistry, Physical %K Computer Simulation %K Connectin %K Kinetics %K Models, Molecular %K Molecular Conformation %K Muscle Proteins %K Protein Conformation %K Protein Denaturation %K Protein Folding %K Protein Kinases %K Protein Structure, Secondary %K Proteins %K Temperature %K Time Factors %X Thermal unfolding of proteins is compared to folding and mechanical stretching in a simple topology-based dynamical model. We define the unfolding time and demonstrate its low-temperature divergence. Below a characteristic temperature, contacts break at separate time scales and unfolding proceeds approximately in a way reverse to folding. Features in these scenarios agree with experiments and atomic simulations on titin. %B J Chem Phys %V 123 %P 194908 %8 2005 Nov 15 %G eng %N 19 %R 10.1063/1.2121668