Origins of globular structure in proteins.
Since natural proteins are the products of a long evolutionary process, the structural properties of present-day proteins should depend not only on physico-chemical constraints, but also on evolutionary constraints. Here we propose a model for protein evolution, in which membranes play a key role as a scaffold for supporting the gradual evolution from flexible polypeptides to well-folded proteins. We suggest that the folding process of present-day globular proteins is a relic of this putative evolutionary process. To test the hypothesis that membranes once acted as a cradle for the folding of globular proteins, extensive research on membrane proteins and the interactions of globular proteins with membranes will be required.
Mitsubishi Kasei Institute of Life Sciences, Machida, Tokyo, Japan.
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Doi
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Yanagawa
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D017510:Protein Folding
D008565:Membrane Proteins