Phoenix effect—resurrected proteins double their natural activity
Thursday, October 1, 2015 - 05:50
in Biology & Nature
Proteins play a large role in sustaining life functions. These molecules ensure that vital reactions, such as DNA replication or metabolism catalysis, are carried out within cells. Protein denaturation is accompanied by the unfolding of the native three-dimensional structure of the protein and hence the loss of its activity. By reassembling this polymer tangle, it is possible to renature the protein and restore its activity, but this procedure requires much effort.