Is allostery an intrinsic property of all dynamic proteins?

K. Gunasekaran, Buyong Ma, Ruth Nussinov*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Allostery involves coupling of conformational changes between two widely separated binding sites. The common view holds that allosteric proteins are symmetric oligomers, with each subunit existing in "at least" two conformational states with a different affinity for ligands. Recent observations such as the allosteric behavior of myoglobin, a classical example of a nonallosteric protein, call into question the existing allosteric dogma. Here we argue that all (nonfibrous) proteins are potentially allosteric. Allostery is a consequence of re-distributions of protein conformational ensembles. In a nonallosteric protein, the binding site shape may not show a concerted second-site change and enzyme kinetics may not reflect an allosteric transition. Nevertheless, appropriate ligands, point mutations, or external conditions may facilitate a population shift, leading a presumably nonallosteric protein to behave allosterically. In principle, practically any potential drug binding to the protein surface can alter the conformational redistribution. The question is its effectiveness in the redistribution of the ensemble, affecting the protein binding sites and its function. Here, we review experimental observations validating this view of protein allostery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)433-443
Number of pages11
JournalProteins: Structure, Function and Genetics
Volume57
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Nov 2004

Keywords

  • Allosteric transition
  • Allostery
  • Conformational ensembles
  • Drug discovery
  • Energy landscape
  • Function
  • Population redistribution

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