Figure 5: Changes in the persistence length of α-catenin as a polymer chain.

(A) Comparison of persistence lengths l_p in M_I-M_III fragments. Statistical significance of the differences was analyzed using t-test (**p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.005). The error bars show standard deviations (S.D.). Persistence length l_p was analyzed in the initial extension (0 nm < L_c ≤ 72 nm) and the later extension (72 nm < L_c < 144 nm). (B) The effect of persistence length on the peak unfolding force. If we postulate the same energy barrier E_b for the next intermediate state in M_I-M_III before and after the activation (orange (a) and purple (b) lines), greater peak unfolding force F_u will be required to overcome the E_b in the activated M_I-M_III (b), with greater l_p, than in M_I-M_III (a).