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Fold-Switching Proteins.

Devlina Chakravarty¹, Lauren L Porter^1,2

¹National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; email: devlina.chakravarty@nih.gov, porterll@nih.gov.

Annual Review of Biophysics

|November 18, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fold-switching proteins dynamically change their structures, challenging traditional protein folding models. Evolution has favored this adaptability, highlighting its crucial roles in biological processes across all life forms.

Keywords:

fold-switching proteins metamorphic proteins protein design protein evolution protein folding protein structure prediction

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Area of Science:

* Molecular Biology
* Structural Biology
* Evolutionary Biology

Background:

* Globular proteins typically possess fixed secondary structures (α-helices and β-sheets).
* Fold-switching proteins exhibit dynamic structural remodeling in response to cellular signals, defying conventional protein structure expectations.
* Initially dismissed as evolutionary anomalies, these proteins are now recognized for their selected dual-folding behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

* To explore the phenomenon of protein fold switching.
* To discuss how fold switching challenges established concepts in protein structure, biophysics, and evolution.
* To highlight recent advancements and future research directions in understanding fold-switching proteins.

Main Methods:

* Review of current scientific literature on protein fold switching.
* Analysis of evolutionary selection pressures favoring dual-folding behavior.
* Discussion of biophysical mechanisms underlying structural transitions.

Main Results:

* Evidence indicates that fold switching is an evolutionarily selected trait, not a random occurrence.
* These proteins play essential roles in diverse biological processes across all kingdoms of life.
* The study of fold switching is uncovering fundamental insights into protein dynamics and function.

Conclusions:

* Fold-switching proteins represent a significant departure from static protein structure models.
* Their adaptive nature underscores the intricate relationship between protein structure, function, and evolution.
* Further research is crucial to fully elucidate the mechanisms and biological significance of protein fold switching.