Volume 8 Issue 2, February 2001

Two new studies address contradictions about the use of the hierarchic mechanism for the folding process in both two-state and three-state folding reactions.

Transient complexes between electron transfer proteins are essential to the function of biological energy storage systems. A new structure between ferredoxin and one of its reaction partners, ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase, reveals how these proteins interact with each other.

A cap at the tip of the bacterial flagellum uses a dynamic differential binding of individual subunits to allow the filament tip to grow, achieving control of assembly far from the point of protein translation.

The crystal structure of a `retaining' glycosyltransferase provides the first view of α-glycosidic bond synthesis using activated nucleotide sugars.

The cocrystal structure of TaqI DNA methyltransferase in complex with its specific DNA substrate adds to the growing list of structurally confirmed DNA base-flipping enzymes, and provides a basis for the general mechanism of AdoMet-dependent DNA N-methylation.

The structure of a kinase that can phosphorylate serines in the RS repeats found in pre-mRNA splicing factors has been solved. This structure provides a basis for the constitutive activity of this kinase and suggests a mechanism for consecutive phosphorylation of serines in these domains.

The series of four CASP experiments has helped to transform the field of protein structure prediction. The state of the art in protein structure prediction has undoubtedly changed, but has there been progress over the years?