Abstract
Most proteins fold into their native structure through well defined pathways which involve a limited number of transient intermediates. Intermediates play a relevant role in the folding process; many diseases of genetic nature are in fact coupled with protein misfolding due to formation of stable, inactive intermediate species of the protein. This review deals with a number of diseases associated with protein misfolding and briefly describes the mechanism(s) responsible, at molecular level, for such pathologies. It is also considered the (native molten globule) transition, recently observed for some proteins, in which a native protein converts into a stable compact intermediate state able to carry out distinct physiological functions inside the cell. A non-native compact form of cyt c, for example, appears to have a role in the programmed cell death (apoptosis) after that the protein is released from the mitochondrion, and non-native forms of the same protein appear involved in some of the disorders attributed to amyloid formation.
Keywords: Protein folding and misfolding, intermediate conformers, genetic diseases, cell apoptosis, Alzheimer
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Protein Folding, Unfolding and Misfolding: Role Played by Intermediate States
Volume: 8 Issue: 1
Author(s): R. Santucci, F. Sinibaldi and L. Fiorucci
Affiliation:
Keywords: Protein folding and misfolding, intermediate conformers, genetic diseases, cell apoptosis, Alzheimer
Abstract: Most proteins fold into their native structure through well defined pathways which involve a limited number of transient intermediates. Intermediates play a relevant role in the folding process; many diseases of genetic nature are in fact coupled with protein misfolding due to formation of stable, inactive intermediate species of the protein. This review deals with a number of diseases associated with protein misfolding and briefly describes the mechanism(s) responsible, at molecular level, for such pathologies. It is also considered the (native molten globule) transition, recently observed for some proteins, in which a native protein converts into a stable compact intermediate state able to carry out distinct physiological functions inside the cell. A non-native compact form of cyt c, for example, appears to have a role in the programmed cell death (apoptosis) after that the protein is released from the mitochondrion, and non-native forms of the same protein appear involved in some of the disorders attributed to amyloid formation.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Santucci R., Sinibaldi F. and Fiorucci L., Protein Folding, Unfolding and Misfolding: Role Played by Intermediate States, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 8 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955708783331522
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955708783331522 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
Natural Products in Drug Discovery
Natural products have always been one of the important ways of drug discovery due to their novel skeleton and diverse functional group characteristics. According to statistics, between 1981 and 2019, the FDA approved a total of 1,394 small molecule drugs for marketing, of which 930 marketed drugs originated from the ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Oxidative Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Looking for a Therapeutic Solution Inspired on Benzopyran Chemistry
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative/Nitrosative Brain Damage in Stress: Possible Target for Neuropsychopharmacological Drugs
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Central Nervous System Agents The Urokinase Receptor in the Central Nervous System
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Role of Melatonin in Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease and Cerebral Ischemia
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Plant Polyphenols and Oral Health: Old Phytochemicals for New Fields
Current Medicinal Chemistry Effect of Aging on Metabolic Pathways in Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Design Protective Effects of Pomegranate in Endothelial Dysfunction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Immunophilins: Structures, Mechanisms and Ligands
Current Molecular Pharmacology Isomers of 4-[<sup>18</sup>F]fluoro-proline: Radiosynthesis, Biological Evaluation and Results in Humans Using PET
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Possible Mechanisms of Action of NSAIDs and Related Compounds that Modulate γ - Secretase Cleavage
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Autophagy in Diabetic Retinopathy
Current Neuropharmacology RNA Interference as a Tool for Alzheimers Disease Therapy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Beta-Amyloid, Oxidative Stress and Down Syndrome
Current Alzheimer Research The Role of Extracellular Adenosine in Chemical Neurotransmission in the Hippocampus and Basal Ganglia: Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Novel Targets in Multiple Sclerosis: To Oxidative Stress and Beyond
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Creatine and the Liver: Metabolism and Possible Interactions
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Mitochondrial Physiology and Toxicity (Mitotoxicity); Importance for the Immune System, Programmed Cell Death and Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents DNA Vaccine and the CNS Axonal Regeneration
Current Pharmaceutical Design EDITORIAL (Natural Products for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Diseases: Understanding their Mechanism of Action)
Current Neuropharmacology General Aspects of Metal Toxicity
Current Medicinal Chemistry