On-pathway versus off-pathway folding intermediates.
Rapidly formed molten globule intermediates accumulate at the start of the folding reactions of several small proteins. Opinion is sharply divided as to whether they are on-pathway or off-pathway intermediates. I discuss recent experiments aimed at resolving this issue. Specific points include whether a 'rollover' in the plot of folding rate versus denaturant concentration implies that a folding intermediate is or is not on-pathway; whether the failure to observe folding intermediates for some small proteins implies a different folding mechanism or only that the intermediates are less stable; possible interpretation of 'fast-track' folding of hen lysozyme; and the significance of recent results in the search for unfolding intermediates.
Baldwin
R L
RL
Biochemistry Department, Beckman Center, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305-5307, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000737:chemistry; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D011506:Proteins; D009113:Muramidase