Protein motions, correlated essential dynamics

The main body of this volume presents results that have been obtained in dynamical studies of proteins in vacuum, in solution, and in crystals. Because of the intense activity in this area, a selection has been made to provide a representative and coherent view of our present knowledge. Where possible, comparisons with experiment and the functional correlates of the motions are stressed. A description is given of specific experimental areas that are of particular importance for the analysis of dynamics or where the simulation results are providing information essential for the interpretation of the experimental data. We conclude with an outlook for future developments and applications in this exciting field. 

In many proteins and peptides the transport of substances occurs through the molecule rather than via overall translation as in hemoglobin. The most obvious cases are membrane systems, in which fluctuations are likely to be essential in determining the kinetics of transport. For channels that open and close (e.g. gramicidin) as well as for active transport involving enzymes (e.g. ATPases), fluctuations, in some cases highly correlated ones, must be involved. At present, structural details and studies of the motions are lacking, but this is an area where dynamic analyses are likely to be made in the near future. 

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