Deciphering the message in protein sequences: tolerance to amino acid substitutions

Science. 1990 Mar 16;247(4948):1306-10. doi: 10.1126/science.2315699.

Abstract

An amino acid sequence encodes a message that determines the shape and function of a protein. This message is highly degenerate in that many different sequences can code for proteins with essentially the same structure and activity. Comparison of different sequences with similar messages can reveal key features of the code and improve understanding of how a protein folds and how it performs its function.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence*
  • Computer Graphics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proteins / physiology*
  • Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Properties
  • Viral Proteins
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • phage repressor proteins