Dynamic light scattering from weakly bending rods: Estimation of the dynamic bending rigidity of the M13 virus

Abstract A theory is presented for the dynamic structure factor [ S (K, t)] of weakly bending rods. This treatment is based on a discrete bead model for the Brownian dynamics in which all bead motions associated with bending are constrained to occur in a plane perpendicular to the end‐to‐end vector, thus prohibiting extension or contraction along that axis. Preset hydrodynamic interactions are incorporated in a numerically exact manner. The predicted normalized dynamic structure factor S ( K , t )/ S ( K , 0) should be valid for short times t such that the rms rotation of the end‐to‐end vector around any transverse axis is much less than 1.0 radian. With geometrical parameters appropriate for the M13 virus, the intensity autocorrelation function G (2) ( K , t ) = 1 + | S ( K , t )/ S ( K , 0)| 2 is calculated over a range of times and scattering vectors K for selected values of the persistence length P. The calculated G (2) ( K , t ) are fitted to a single exponential with unit baseline over the same range of times as the experimental photon correlation functions, and the apparent diffusion coefficients D app ( K ) are obtained from the best‐fit relaxation times. For the sake of completeness, an exact expression is derived for the apparent diffusion coefficient obtained from the initial slope of the dynamic structure factor. However, this does not reduce to the known correct result in the rigid rod limit. To obtain the correct result, the limit of infinite bending rigidity must be taken before the limit of zero time. For this and other reasons, the initial slope value of D app (K) is not useful for weakly bending rods. Photon correlation functions are measured for the M13 virus, which is virtually identical to the often‐studied fd virus. The experimental photon correlation functions are fitted over 8 relaxation times to a single‐exponential plus baseline, and the D app ( K ) are calculated from the best‐fit relaxation times. Theoretical curves of D app ( K ) vs K 2 for selected values of P are compared with the experimental data, which are satisfactorily reproduced when P = 22000 ± 2000 Å. This dynamic value is close to the static value, P = 20000 ± 2000 Å, reported for the very similar fd virus. The most recent theories of Maeda and Fujime and their dynamic light scattering studies of fd virus are compared with the present results in some detail. Their optimum value of P is in surprisingly good agreement with the present value.