Transient, highly populated, building blocks folding model

Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics
C J Tsai, Ruth Nussinov

Abstract

Protein folding is a hierarchical event, in which transiently formed local structural elements assemble to yield the native conformation. In principle, multiple paths glide down the energy landscape, but, in practice, only a few of the paths are highly traveled. Here, the literature is reviewed in this light, and, particularly, a hierarchical, building block protein-folding model is presented, putting it in the context of a broad range of experimental and theoretical results published over the past few years. The model is based on two premises: First, although the local building block elements may be unstable, they nevertheless have higher population times than all alternate conformations; and, second, protein folding progresses through a combinatorial assembly of these elements. Through the binding of the most favorable building block conformers, there is a redistribution of the conformers in solution, propagating the protein-folding reaction. We describe the algorithm, and illustrate its usefulness, then we focus on its utility in assigning simple vs complex folding pathways, on chaperonin-assisted folding, on its relevance to domain-swapping processes, and on its relevance and relationship to disconnectivity graphs and tree ...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 3, 2004·Biophysical Chemistry·S O Yesylevskyy, A P Demchenko
Dec 12, 2001·Protein Engineering·C J Tsai, R Nussinov
Sep 25, 2004·Protein Science : a Publication of the Protein Society·Hui-Hsu Gavin TsaiRuth Nussinov

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.