Protein-protein interaction

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) refers to the physical contact established between two or more protein molecules as a result of biochemical events and/or electrostatic forces. These interactions play a pivotal role in various biological functions, including DNA replication, cell signaling, metabolic cycles, and immune responses.

Overview

Protein-protein interactions occur when proteins bind together to perform a specific function. This can happen in a transient or a permanent manner. Transient interactions are temporary and are often involved in signal transduction pathways, while permanent interactions are more stable and are involved in the formation of protein complexes.

Mechanisms of Protein-Protein Interaction

Protein-protein interactions can occur through various mechanisms. These include:

• Covalent bonding: This involves the sharing of electron pairs between proteins.
• Non-covalent bonding: This includes hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and ionic interactions.
• Hydrophobic interactions: These occur when proteins fold to expose a hydrophobic (water-repelling) surface to a similar surface on another protein.

Detection and Analysis

Several techniques are used to study protein-protein interactions, including:

• Yeast two-hybrid screening: This is a molecular biology technique used to discover protein-protein interactions.
• Co-immunoprecipitation: This technique is used to analyze protein interactions within a cell.
• Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET): This is used to measure the interaction between two proteins within a cell.

Significance

Understanding protein-protein interactions is crucial for deciphering the complex networks of biochemical processes occurring within cells. It also has significant implications in the development of drugs and therapeutic strategies for various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases.

See Also

• Protein structure
• Protein folding
• Protein complex
• Protein function