Why are some proteins structures so common?

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Apr 16;93(8):3341-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.8.3341.

Abstract

Many biological proteins are observed to fold into one of a limited number of structural motifs. By considering the requirements imposed on proteins by their need to fold rapidly, and the ease with which such requirements can be fulfilled as a function of the native structure, we can explain why certain structures are repeatedly observed among proteins with negligible sequence similarity. This work has implications for the understanding of protein sequence structure relationships as well as protein evolution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Folding
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Proteins