Distinctive features of the biological catch bond in the jump-ramp force regime predicted by the two-pathway model

The receptor-ligand unbinding in the biological catch bond is analyzed within a simple model that comprises a single bound state and two unbinding pathways. This model is investigated in detail for the jump-ramp force regime, where the pulling force quickly jumps to a finite value and then is ramped linearly with time. Two qualitative criteria are identified that distinguish the catch bond from the slip bond. First, the rupture force probability density of the catch-bond exhibits a maximum-minimum pair, which develops at finite forces. In contrast, the slip bond produces a maximum that first appears at zero force. Second, the catch bond can be identified over a wide range of ramp rates by high rupture probabilities at low forces relative to the probability at the maximum, in contrast to the slip bond, where the probability at the maximum always corresponds to the most likely rupture force. Both distinctive features of the catch bond are masked by large jump forces, indicating that the catch bond is best identified in experiments with moderate loading rates and small jump forces. The catch-bond lifetime in the constant force regime is related to the probability density in the jump-ramp regime, allowing one to determine the bond lifetime for a constant force by measuring the initial probability density in the jump-ramp experiments with different jump forces and a fixed ramp rate. The key analytic results are illustrated with the P-selectin/P-selectin glucoprotein ligand-1 bond.