Are natural proteins special? Can we do that?

TitleAre natural proteins special? Can we do that?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsHecht, MH, Zarzhitsky, S, Karas, C, Chari, S
JournalCurr Opin Struct Biol
Volume48
Pagination124-132
Date Published2018 Feb
ISSN1879-033X
KeywordsAmino Acid Sequence, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli Proteins, Gene Deletion, Gene Library, Genetic Complementation Test, Models, Molecular, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical, Protein Conformation, beta-Strand, Protein Engineering, Protein Folding
Abstract

<p>Natural proteins represent a minuscule fraction of possible sequence space. These very rare sequences display remarkable properties: They fold into many different stable structures, and perform a wide range of complex biological functions. These two considerations-rarity and functionality-may suggest that natural proteins are somehow special. Is this true? We address this question by exploring attempts to recapitulate the special structures and functions of natural proteins into sequences designed de novo.</p>

DOI10.1016/j.sbi.2017.11.009
Alternate JournalCurr Opin Struct Biol
PubMed ID29306103