Schönfelder…Muñoz {Nat Commun 7: 11777}

A simple two-state protein unfolds mechanically via multiple heterogeneous pathways at single-molecule resolution. Nat Commun. 2016 Jun 1;7:11777.
Single molecule force spectroscopy reveals a highly complex mechanical unfolding of the Cold Shock Protein B from Thermotoga Maritima. This heterogeneous behaviour, shown here for the first time, contrasts with the simple two state unfolding suggested by traditional ensemble measurements on the same protein, using chemical denaturant.