Coil–helix transition of biopolymer confined in finite cylinder

An off-lattice dynamic Monte Carlo method is used to study the conformations of biopolymers confined in finite cylinders. The coil–helix transition is observed with the increase of bending energy b for the polymer chain confined in small cylinder, and helical structure becomes more perfect for larger b. Periodicity of tangent–tangent correlation function C(s) begins to disappear when the cylinder height H increases, and the influence of R and b on the ability of helix formation of polymer chain weakens significantly. Therefore, the semiflexible and stiff polymer chains can fold into helix in small cylinder.