Intermediates in the Protein Folding Process: A Computational Model
2011

Modeling Protein Folding Intermediates

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Irena Roterman, Leszek Konieczny, Mateusz Banach, Wiktor Jurkowski

Primary Institution: Jagiellonian University

Hypothesis

The study proposes a two-step model for simulating the protein folding process, consisting of early and late stages.

Conclusion

The model was positively verified using two proteins, suggesting its applicability to in silico protein folding simulations.

Supporting Evidence

  • The model consists of an early stage driven by backbone conformation and a late stage involving a hydrophobic core.
  • The study analyzed two proteins, 1ZTR and 1ENH, to verify the model's predictions.
  • Results showed that the early stage characteristics diminish as the protein transitions to the late stage.

Takeaway

Scientists created a computer model to understand how proteins fold, showing that proteins change shape in two main steps.

Methodology

The study used a two-step model to simulate protein folding, analyzing geometric parameters and hydrophobicity distributions.

Limitations

The model was verified using only two proteins due to the limited number of experimentally proven early-stage folding intermediates.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/ijms11084850

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