MUNICH, Germany, March 22 (UPI) -- German scientists say they have developed a technology that allows researchers to observe the movement of proteins in nanoseconds.
The scientists at the Munich University of Technology said the method was developed by a team led by Professor Thomas Kiefhaber, based on fast electron transfer between the different parts of a protein.
Focusing on the actin-binding part of the villin protein, HP35, the researchers said they used the technique to show the folded protein is available in two conformations that are very similar structurally, but display decidedly different dynamic properties. While significant structural changes are not possible in a rigid conformation, flexible conformations allow parts of the protein responsible for binding actin to fold and unfold on a time scale of 100 nanoseconds.
The scientists said their achievement is fundamental to understanding the function of proteins and will help shed light of the mechanisms behind the folding and misfolding of proteins.
The researchers said they now hope to further develop the method in order to apply it to larger proteins important for the regulation of cell functions.
The study was reported in last week's online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
