Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Analysis of Protein Folding, Transport, and Degradation in Living Cells by Radioactive Pulse Chase
Published on: February 12, 2019
Directed transport as a mechanism for protein folding in vivo
Ernesto González-Candela1, Víctor Romero-Rochín
1Departamento de Física, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, 09340 Mexico, D.F., Mexico. egonzaca@banxico.org.mx
Abstract:
We propose a model for protein folding in vivo based on a Brownian ratchet mechanism in the multidimensional energy landscape space. The device is able to produce directed transport taking advantage of the assumed intrinsic asymmetric properties of the proteins and employing the consumption of energy provided by an external source. Through such a directed transport phenomenon, the polypeptide finds the native state starting from any initial state in the energy landscape with great efficacy and robustness, even in the presence of different types of obstacles. This model solves Levinthal's paradox without requiring biased transition probabilities but at the expense of opening the system to an external field.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein sorting can be of two types: signal-based sorting and vesicle-based trafficking. In signal-based sorting, specific amino acid sequences called sorting signals target proteins to the proper location inside the cell either via gated transport or by protein translocation. In gated transport, folded...
Protein Folding
Protein Structure Is Critical to Its Biological Function
Proteins perform a wide range of biological functions such as catalyzing chemical reactions, providing...
Protein Folding
Protein Folding
Protein Transport to the Thylakoids
Molecular Chaperones and Protein Folding
The...

