Biomolecular scaffolds for enhanced signaling and catalytic efficiency

• This review focuses on the self-assembly of enzyme and protein complexes.
• Naturally occurring enzyme complexes and scaffolds were discussed.
• Main focuses were the uses of scaffolding on synthetic signaling and biosynthesis.
• Discussed topics had varied geometry, binding domains, and building materials.

Proteins inherently are not designed to be standalone entities. Whether it is a multi-step biochemical reaction or a signaling event that triggers several other cascading events, proteins are naturally designed to function cohesively. Several natural systems have been developed through evolution to co-localize the functional proteins of the same pathway in order to ensure efficient communication of signals or intermediates. This review focuses on some selected examples of where synthetic scaffolds inspired by nature have been used to enhance the overall biological pathway performance. Applications encompass both in vivo and in vitro systems that address two key biological events in cell signaling and biosynthesis will be discussed.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (120 K)Download as PowerPoint slide