Memory protein: Researchers uncover unusual glassy behavior in a disordered protein
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 - 16:41
in Biology & Nature
When researchers sought to understand the mechanical behaviors of disordered proteins in the lab, they expected that after being stretched, one particular model protein would snap back instantaneously, like a rubber band. Instead, this disordered protein relaxed slowly, taking tens of minutes to relax into its original shape -- a behavior that defied expectations, and hinted at an inner structure that was long thought to exist, but has been difficult to prove.