DOE Science Showcase - Protein Folding

Proteins are the main constitute of our bones, muscles, hair, skin and blood vessels, performing a vast array of functions such as catalyzing metabolic reactions, replicating DNA, response to stimuli, moving muscles, and protecting the immune system.  These proteins consist of long chains of molecules called amino acids that interact with each other to produce a well-defined three-dimensional structure – the folded protein. 

The correct three-dimensional structure of the protein is essential to function.  Failure to fold into native structure generally produces inactive proteins, but in some instances misfolded proteins have modified or toxic functionality and are believed to cause some neurodegenerative diseases such as alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, huntington’s and parkinson’s diseases and cancer.  DOE researchers and their collaborators have made significant progress with protein folding research and are gaining insights into possible prevention and cures for diseases associated with misfolded proteins. 

Additional information about this important research can be found in the resources and related links below. 

Protein Folding: Before and After
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Related Research Information in DOE Databases

• In the OSTI Collections: Determing How Proteins Fold, Dr. William Watson 

• DOE PAGES^Beta –  journal articles and accepted manuscripts resulting from DOE funding.

• SciTech Connect – reports from DOE science, technology and engineering programs. 

• DOepatents – a central collection of DOE patent information. 

•  National Library of Energy^Beta – search results from across the DOE Complex. 

• Science.gov – search results from U.S. federal science agencies. 

• WorldWideScience.org – search results from global science agencies 

Additional Resources 

• DOE Office of Science

• A Protein Mystery Unfolds, Argonne National Laboratory

• Berkeley Lab and Scripps Research Institute - Scientists Link ALS Progression to Increased Protein Instability, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

• Folding@Home, Stanford University 

• Watching Proteins Unfold: New Insights Could Impact Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer's News Today

• Now Researchers Can See How Unfolded Proteins Move In The Cell, EurekAlert!

• New Crystal Structures Lift Fog Around Protein Folding, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

• Foundry’s Peppytide Models a Hit at Mini Maker Faire, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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