High-affinity biomolecular interactions are modulated by low-affinity binders.

ABSTRACT: The strength of molecular interactions is characterized by their dissociation constants (K_D). Only high-affinity interactions (K_D ≤ 10^-8 M) are extensively investigated and support binary on/off switches. However, such analyses have discounted the presence of low-affinity binders (K_D > 10^-5 M) in the cellular environment. We assess the potential influence of low-affinity binders on high-affinity interactions. By employing Gillespie stochastic simulations and continuous methods, we demonstrate that the presence of low-affinity binders can alter the kinetics and the steady state of high-affinity interactions. We refer to this effect as 'herd regulation' and have evaluated its possible impact in two different contexts including sex determ

SUBMITTER: Mukundan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11316740 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature