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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Interactome-Seq: A Protocol for Domainome Library Construction, Validation and Selection by Phage Display and Next Generation Sequencing
Published on: October 3, 2018
The generation of new protein functions by the combination of domains
Matthew Bashton1, Cyrus Chothia
1MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, United Kingdom. bashton@ebi.ac.uk
Abstract:
During evolution, many new proteins have been formed by the process of gene duplication and combination. The genes involved in this process usually code for whole domains. Small proteins contain one domain; medium and large proteins contain two or more domains. We have compared homologous domains that occur in both one-domain proteins and multidomain proteins. We have determined (1) how the functions of the individual domains in the multidomain proteins combine to produce their overall functions and (2) the extent to which these functions are similar to those in the one-domain homologs. We describe how domain combinations increase the specificity of enzymes; act as links between domains that have functional roles; regulate activity; combine within one chain functions that can act either independently, in concert or in new contexts; and provide the structural framework for the evolution of entirely new functions.
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