title: The power of two: protein dimerization in biology.
abstract: The self-association of proteins to form dimers and higher-order oligomers is a very common phenomenon. Recent structural and biophysical studies show that protein dimerization or oligomerization is a key factor in the regulation of proteins such as enzymes, ion channels, receptors and transcription factors. In addition, self-association can help to minimize genome size, while maintaining the advantages of modular complex formation. Oligomerization, however, can also have deleterious consequences when nonnative oligomers associated with pathogenic states are generated. Specific protein dimerization is integral to biological function, structure and control, and must be under substantial selection pressure to be maintained with such frequency throughout biology.
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Neelan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Marianayagam
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sunde
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000494:Allosteric Regulation; D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D021381:Protein Transport; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011506:Proteins