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More than Meets the Eye: Hidden Structures in the Proteome
Hal Wasserman1, Erica Ollmann Saphire1,2
1Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037;
Annual Review of Virology
|August 3, 2016
Summary
Proteins can adopt new functions by rearranging their structures, a fifth level beyond sequence and fold. This protein structural rearrangement is crucial for viral replication and other biological functions.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- The central dogma posits protein sequence dictates structure, which dictates function (sequence → structure → function).
- Biological systems utilize primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary protein structures.
- A fifth level, structural rearrangement, is emerging as critical for protein function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of protein structural rearrangement.
- To highlight the role of this fifth level in viral replication and other functions.
- To explore examples in viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic polypeptides.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications.
- Analysis of protein structure and function relationships.
- Identification of viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic examples.
Main Results:
- Protein structural rearrangement allows for acquisition of new functions.
- Ebola virus replication exemplifies the importance of this fifth level.
- Compact genomes and rapid evolution in viruses favor such rearrangements.
Conclusions:
- Protein structural rearrangement represents a significant, previously underappreciated, level of biological organization.
- This mechanism offers viruses a strategy for rapid adaptation and functional expansion.
- Further research into viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic systems will likely reveal more examples.
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