Biological molecular recognition studies

In this concluding section, we shall look at a small number of molecular recognition events in order to exemplify the theoretical discussions above. Nowadays, there are myriad studies that could be given, but we have chosen to focus on a few examples interesting for their contrasting demonstrations of molecular recognition and binding events. 

ATP binding was studied by an ITC binding experiment in the absence of any other spectroscopic signature that could be titrated to saturation. ITC studies were performed using hydrolysis resistant -methylene-ATP (AMPCP) in place of ATP in order to avoid 

Stress protein molecular chaperones have already been introduced (see Chapter 6). Such proteins have a rich and varied molecular recognition and binding behaviour. Important examples include GroEL and the procollagen/collagen molecular chaperone protein known as heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47). 

GroEL is a paradox in molecular recognition and binding. A wide range of different unfolded protein substrates binds to GroEL with Kd values in the micro molar-nano molar range. Such 

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The present review intends to be illustrative rather than comprehensive, and focuses on the results of this study leading to the hypothesis 9 — the three-dimensional shape similarity between interacting groups in reacting molecules is responsible for more specific and precise molecular recognition than would otherwise be achieved — and on the explanation of biological recognition on this basis. 

The problem of molecular recognition has attracted biologically oriented chemists since Emil Fischer s lock-and-key theory l0). Within the last two decades, many model compounds have been developed micelle-forming detergents11, modified cyclodextrins 12), many kinds of crown-type compounds13) including podands, coronands, cryptands, and spherands. Very extensive studies using these compounds have, however, not been made from a point of view of whether or not shape similarity affects the discrimination. 

We are attempting to understand the biological significance of the large variations in frequency of putative LDRs, whether between different types of bacteria or archaea, or between pro- and eukaryota. We have carefully studied the literature of more than 90 example proteins selected from our disordered protein databases and found reports on the functions of most of the disordered regions (Dunker et al., 2002). The observed functions and the number of examples in each functional class are given in Table VI. As indicated, four major functional classes were found molecular recognition, molecular assembly or disassembly, protein modification, and entropic chains. 

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