General framework of pressure effects on structures formed by entropically driven self-assembly

We review a general framework of pressure effects on the structures formed by entropically driven self-assembly (for example, denaturation of proteins from their native structure and dissociation of ordered structure of the amyloid fibril occur at high pressures). In the framework, the translational entropy of water is an essential factor. Our findings are as follows: at low pressures, the structures almost minimizing the excluded volume (EV) generated for water molecules are stable. On the other hand, at high pressures, the structures possessing the largest possible water-accessible surface area together with sufficiently small EV become more stable. These characteristics are consistent with experimental observations.