Random protein sequences can form defined secondary structures and are well-tolerated in vivo.

ABSTRACT: The protein sequences found in nature represent a tiny fraction of the potential sequences that could be constructed from the 20-amino-acid alphabet. To help define the properties that shaped proteins to stand out from the space of possible alternatives, we conducted a systematic computational and experimental exploration of random (unevolved) sequences in comparison with biological proteins. In our study, combinations of secondary structure, disorder, and aggregation predictions are accompanied by experimental characterization of selected proteins. We found that the overall secondary structure and physicochemical properties of random and biological sequences are very similar. Moreover, random sequences can be well-tolerated by living cells. Contrary to early hypotheses about the toxicity

SUBMITTER: Tretyachenko V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5684393 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature