Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila
06:41

In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila

Published on: August 20, 2019

Allostery is a widespread cause of loss-of-function variant pathogenicity

Xiaotian Liao1,2, Ben Lehner3,4,5,6

  • 1Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK.

Nature Communications
|June 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Allosteric mutations, which affect protein function without direct contact, are a major cause of human genetic diseases. Understanding these effects is crucial for predicting disease and protein evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Allosteric communication is vital for protein regulation and drug action.
  • Gain-of-function allosteric variants drive oncogene activation, but their role in genetic disease and evolution is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a framework to distinguish functional disruption from destabilization caused by mutations.
  • To investigate the role of allosteric effects in human genetic diseases and protein evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a comparative framework to analyze mutation effects.
  • Applied the framework to diverse datasets including experimental measurements and proteome-wide evolutionary data.
  • Utilized biophysical stability predictions.

Main Results:

  • Allosteric mechanisms are a significant cause of loss-of-function variant pathogenicity in human genetic diseases.
  • A conserved distance-dependent decay of allosteric mutational effects was observed outside active sites.
  • Allosteric effects are widespread across the human proteome.

Conclusions:

  • Allosteric effects are a critical, underappreciated mechanism in genetic disease.
  • Mapping and predicting allosteric effects is essential for understanding protein function and disease.
  • Further research into allosteric mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies.

More Related Videos

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Pipeline to Evaluate Genetic Determinants of Constitutional Disease09:34

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Pipeline to Evaluate Genetic Determinants of Constitutional Disease

Published on: April 4, 2018

Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information09:37

Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information

Published on: August 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants01:27

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants

The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...