分子伴侣的多重功能

分子伴侣(molecular chaperone)在原核生物和真核生物的细胞中广泛存在.分子伴侣可稳定未折叠或部分折叠的多肽，并防止不适当的多肽链内或链间相互作用；有些分子伴侣也可与天然构象的蛋白质相互作用以促使寡聚态蛋白质发生结构重排.基于分子伴侣能识别并调节细胞内多肽的折叠，因此它们还具有介导线粒体蛋白跨膜转运，调控信息传导通路和转录、复制，以及参与微管形成与修复等功能.

The Multiple Functions of Molecular Chaperones

The members of the molecular chaperone families are widely distributed from prokaryotes to eukaryotic cells. The molecular chaperones function in vivo to recognize and stabilize unfolded or partially folded polypeptides, and protect polypeptides from inappropriate intra- or interchain interaction. In some circumstances, the chaperones interact with native proteins and promote rearrangement of oligomeric complexes. Stemming from their ability to recognize and modulate the state of folding of polypeptides within cells, the molecular chaperones serve many functions including mediating mitochondrial protein translocation, regulating signal pathway and being involved in microtubule nucleation.