Thoughts on the Proteins Native State

TL;DR

This paper investigates the likelihood of structural fluctuations, or metamorphism, in proteins' native states using amide hydrogen exchange protection factors, suggesting such metamorphism is more probable than previously believed.

Contribution

It introduces a novel assessment method for native-state metamorphism based on hydrogen exchange protection factors, providing new insights into protein stability.

Findings

Native-state metamorphism is more probable than previously thought

Assessment method based on amide hydrogen exchange protection factors

Supports the existence of structural fluctuations in native proteins

Abstract

The presence of metamorphism in the protein's native state is not yet fully understood. In an attempt to throw light on this issue here we present an assessment, in terms of the amide hydrogen exchange protection factor, that aims to determine the likely existence of structural fluctuations in the native-state consistent with both the upper bound marginal stability of proteins and the metamorphism presence. The preliminary results enable us to conclude that the native-state metamorphism is, indeed, more probable than thought.