The GroEL/GroES cis cavity as a passive anti-aggregation device

The GroEL/GroES chaperonin folding chamber is an encapsulated space of ∼65 Å diameter with a hydrophilic wall, inside of which many cellular proteins reach the native state. The question of whether the cavity wall actively directs folding reactions or is playing a passive role has been open. We review past and recent observations and conclude that the chamber functions as a passive “Anfinsen cage” that prevents folding monomers from multimolecular aggregation.