Dimers, oligomers, everywhere

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012:747:1-18. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3229-6_1.

Abstract

The specific self-association of proteins to form homodimers and higher order oligomers is an extremely common event in biological systems. In this chapter we review the prevalence of protein oligomerization and discuss the likely origins of this phenomenon. We also outline many of the functional advantages conferred by the dimerization or oligomerization of a wide range of different proteins and in a variety of biological roles, that are likely to have placed a selective pressure on biological systems to evolve and maintain homodimerization/oligomerization interfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Archaea
  • Dimerization
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Viruses
  • Yeasts

Substances

  • Protein Subunits
  • Proteins