Understanding biology by stretching proteins: recent progress.
Single molecule manipulation techniques combined with molecular dynamics simulations and protein engineering have enabled, during the last decade, the mechanical properties of proteins to be studied directly, thereby giving birth to the field of protein nanomechanics. Recent data obtained from such techniques have helped gain insight into the structural bases of protein resistance against forced unfolding, as well as revealing structural motifs involved in mechanical stability. Also, important technical developments have provided new perspectives into protein folding. Eventually, new and exciting data have shown that mechanical properties are key factors in cell signaling and pathologies, and have been used to rationally tune these properties in a variety of proteins.
Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
Albert
A
Galera-Prat
Angel
A
Gómez-Sicilia
Andres F
AF
Oberhauser
Marek
M
Cieplak
Mariano
M
Carrión-Vázquez
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D017510:Protein Folding; D055550:Protein Stability; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D011506:Proteins