Transfer matrix solution of the Wako-Saito-Munoz-Eaton model augmented by arbitrary short range interactions

The Wako-Saito-Munoz-Eaton (WSME) model, initially introduced in the theory of protein folding, has also been used in modeling RNA folding and some epitaxial phenomena. The advantage of this model is that it admits exact solution in the general inhomogeneous case (Bruscolini and Pelizzola 2002 Phys. Rev. Lett. 88 258101) which facilitates the study of realistic systems. However, a shortcoming of the model is that it accounts only for interactions within continuous stretches of native bonds or atomic chains while neglecting interstretch (interchain) interactions. But due to the biopolymer (atomic chain) flexibility, the monomers (atoms) separated by several non-native bonds along the sequence can become closely spaced. This produces their strong interaction. The inclusion of non-WSME interactions into the model makes the model more realistic and improves its performance. In this study we add arbitrary interactions of finite range and solve the new model by means of the transfer matrix technique. We can therefore exactly account for the interactions which in proteomics are classified as medium and moderately long range ones.