Work

Deceptive beauty of non‐natural structures

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Structures of proteins and multiprotein complexes are considered landmark achievements. However, in many cases, mutant proteins are used for structural work. Even when wild type proteins are used, crystallization or complex formation for cryoEM is performed in highly nonphysiological conditions. This explains why the structures can be inconsistent with the functional data. The structures are always true, but solved structures faithfully reveal the mode of interactions of the proteins used in the conditions employed. The structures are static, whereas proteins are dynamic. Even when a series of structures are solved, the dynamics are only implied or deduced via molecular dynamics simulations. The mechanisms of protein function in the natural environment can be revealed by the combination of structural, biochemical, biophysical, and in vivo studies, supplemented by molecular modeling.

Source: Protein Science

DOI: 10.1002/pro.70474

Authors: Vsevolod V. Gurevich, Eugenia V. Gurevich

Institution: Vanderbilt University

Language: English

Topic: Protein Structure and Dynamics

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,480

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute