Conformational Proofreading: The Impact of Conformational Changes on the Specificity of Molecular Recognition
2007
Conformational Proofreading in Molecular Recognition
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Yonatan Savir, Tsvi Tlusty
Primary Institution: Weizmann Institute of Science
Hypothesis
Does molecular recognition gain any advantage by conformational changes?
Conclusion
Optimal specificity in molecular recognition is achieved when the ligand is slightly off target, suggesting that conformational mismatches can improve selectivity.
Supporting Evidence
- Molecular recognition processes often involve conformational changes.
- Optimal specificity is achieved when the ligand is slightly off target.
- Conformational mismatches can improve the selectivity of molecular recognition.
Takeaway
Molecules need to fit together like puzzle pieces to work well, and sometimes being a little mismatched can actually help them find the right fit better.
Methodology
A statistical-mechanics model was introduced to study the effects of conformation and flexibility on molecular recognition processes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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