Protein subunit interfaces: heterodimers versus homodimers.
Protein dimers are either homodimers (complexation of identical monomers) or heterodimers (complexation of non-identical monomers). These dimers are common in catalysis and regulation. However, the molecular principles of protein dimer interactions are difficult to understand mainly due to the geometrical and chemical characteristics of proteins. Nonetheless, the principles of protein dimer interactions are often studied using a dataset of 3D structural complexes determined by X-ray crystallography. A number of physical and chemical properties govern protein dimer interactions. Yet, a handful of such properties are known to dominate protein dimer interfaces. Here, we discuss the differences between homodimer and heterodimer interfaces using a selected set of interface properties.
Zhanhua
Cui
C
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
Gan
Jacob Gah-Kok
JG
Lei
Li
L
Sakharkar
Meena Kishore
MK
Kangueane
Pandjassarame
P