Proteins unfold in steps.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 9380689.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 23435.
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Abstract
I present results from an experiment on the dynamics of folding of a globular protein (bovine serum albumin). Employing a micro-mechanical technique, I perform the measurements on very few molecules (1-100). I observed a sequence of steps in time for both unfolding and refolding. The overall characteristic time of the process is thus built up of waiting times between successive steps. The pattern of steps is reproducible, demonstrating the existence of deterministic pathways for folding and unfolding. Certain symmetries in the patterns of steps may reflect the architecture of the protein's structure.
Medical subject headings
- Protein Folding
- Serum Albumin, Bovine