In cyanobacteria, the interaction between an orange carotenoid protein and its allosteric regulator evolved when a horizontal gene transfer event first brought the two proteins together. However, the surface compatibility between the proteins had already emerged. This finding implies that specific protein–protein interactions can evolve without the action of direct natural selection.
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References
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This is a summary of: Steube, N. et al. Fortuitously compatible protein surfaces primed allosteric control in cyanobacterial photoprotection. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02018-8 (2023).
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Accidental surface compatibility paved the way for a new molecular interaction. Nat Ecol Evol 7, 653–654 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02031-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02031-x
