Symmetry and the energy landscapes of biomolecules.

Wolynes, P G · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1996

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The role of symmetry in the folding of proteins is discussed using energy landscape theory. An analytical argument shows it is much easier to find sequences with funneled energy landscape capable of fast folding if the structure is symmetric. The analogy with phase transitions of small clusters with magic numbers is discussed.

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