Focus on cooperativity

In this issue - pv

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-v

Full Text - In this issue | PDF (131 KB) - In this issue

Focus on cooperativity

Capturing cooperativity - p433

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-433

Considering common definitions and mechanisms of cooperative behavior may lead to new insights into chemical and biological function.

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Focus on cooperativity

Cooperativity and biological complexity - pp435 - 439

Adrian Whitty

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-435

Cooperative binding effects pervade biology. Only a few basic principles are at play, but in different biological contexts cooperativity appears in distinct guises to achieve different ends. Here I discuss some of the manifestations of cooperativity that are most important in biology and drug discovery as they pertain to systems at different levels of complexity and also highlight aspects of this broadly important phenomenon that remain poorly understood.

Full Text - Cooperativity and biological complexity | PDF (446 KB) - Cooperativity and biological complexity

Focus on cooperativity

Cutting the forest to see a single tree? - pp440 - 443

Antoine M van Oijen

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-440

The development of single-molecule tools has significantly impacted the way we think about biochemical processes. Watching a single protein in action allows us to observe kinetic details and rare subpopulations that are hidden in ensemble-averaging techniques. I will discuss here the pros and cons of the single-molecule approach in studying ligand binding in macromolecular systems and how these techniques can be applied to characterize the behavior of large multicomponent biochemical systems.

Full Text - Cutting the forest to see a single tree? | PDF (349 KB) - Cutting the forest to see a single tree?

Focus on cooperativity

Hot springs and cool natural products - pp444 - 446

Ho Jeong Kwon, Choong Hwan Lee, Hiroyuki Osada, Minoru Yoshida & Masaya Imoto

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-444

Abstract - Hot springs and cool natural products | Full Text - Hot springs and cool natural products | PDF (485 KB) - Hot springs and cool natural products

Focus on cooperativity

Scientists Without Borders - p447

Joanne Kotz

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-447

A new web portal helps connect scientists and coordinate scientific efforts to address the challenges of the developing world.

Full Text - Scientists Without Borders | PDF (110 KB) - Scientists Without Borders

Turning down tau phosphorylation - pp448 - 449

Peter M Fischer

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-448

Phosphorylation and glycosylation of the tau protein, which is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, are intimately linked. In vivo pharmacological inhibition of tau deglycosylation may be a new way to suppress abnormal tau phosphorylation, known to be involved in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.

Full Text - Turning down tau phosphorylation | PDF (297 KB) - Turning down tau phosphorylation

See also: Article by Yuzwa et al.

Protein dynamics under light control - pp449 - 450

Michele Vendruscolo

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-449

A stochastic view of allostery is providing quantitative estimates of the energy made available through protein photoswitches.

Full Text - Protein dynamics under light control | PDF (263 KB) - Protein dynamics under light control

See also: Article by Yao et al.

Navigating the RNA folding landscape - pp451 - 452

Ruben L Gonzalez, Jr

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-451

Analysis of individual RNA folding reactions reveals that, as in proteins, cooperative interactions selectively drive RNA toward its biologically active, native conformation. This new work establishes a platform for future investigations of the physical principles underlying the assembly of large RNA enzymes.

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Deciphering a protolanguage for bacteria–host communication - pp452 - 454

Andrew G Palmer & Helen E Blackwell

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-452

Many of the phenotypes shown by bacteria at high population densities are only beneficial when they are associated with eukaryotic hosts. A new study confirms that some bacteria may couple quorum sensing to host-derived signals to refine such interactions.

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The ABCs of trans(porter) inhibition - pp454 - 455

Rachelle Gaudet

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-454

Transporter proteins mediate the import of nutrients and the export of toxins across biological membranes. A new crystal structure of a bacterial ABC transporter reveals an unexpected mechanism for transporter inhibition by its transported substrate.

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Research highlights - p457

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-457

Full Text - Research highlights | PDF (137 KB) - Research highlights

Focus on cooperativity

Cooperativity in macromolecular assembly - pp458 - 465

James R Williamson

doi:10.1038/nchembio.102

Abstract - Cooperativity in macromolecular assembly | Full Text - Cooperativity in macromolecular assembly | PDF (787 KB) - Cooperativity in macromolecular assembly

Focus on cooperativity

Trading molecules and tracking targets in symbiotic interactions - pp466 - 473

Eric W Schmidt

doi:10.1038/nchembio.101

Abstract - Trading molecules and tracking targets in symbiotic interactions | Full Text - Trading molecules and tracking targets in symbiotic interactions | PDF (578 KB) - Trading molecules and tracking targets in symbiotic interactions

Focus on cooperativity

Allosteric regulation and catalysis emerge via a common route - pp474 - 482

Nina M Goodey & Stephen J Benkovic

doi:10.1038/nchembio.98

Abstract - Allosteric regulation and catalysis emerge via a common route | Full Text - Allosteric regulation and catalysis emerge via a common route | PDF (1,468 KB) - Allosteric regulation and catalysis emerge via a common route

Corrigendum: Synthetic fluorescent sensors for studying the cell biology of metals - p507

Dylan W Domaille, Emily L Que & Christopher J Chang

doi:10.1038/nchembio0808-507

Full Text - Corrigendum: Synthetic fluorescent sensors for studying the cell biology of metals | PDF (55 KB) - Corrigendum: Synthetic fluorescent sensors for studying the cell biology of metals