Folding
Folding (medicine)
Folding (pronunciation: /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/) is a term used in various fields of medicine, particularly in genetics and biochemistry, to describe the process by which a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape. This process is crucial to the function of proteins within the body.
Etymology
The term "folding" comes from the English word "fold", which means to bend something over on itself so that one part of it covers another. In the context of medicine, it refers to the way protein chains "fold" into specific shapes to perform their functions.
Related Terms
- Protein folding: The physical process by which a protein chain acquires its native 3-dimensional structure, a conformation that is usually biologically functional, in an expeditious and reproducible manner.
- Misfolding: A process by which proteins do not fold into their correct functional forms, leading to the formation of misfolded proteins that can cause various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- Chaperone (protein): A type of protein that assists in the folding of other proteins.
- Folding funnel: A model of protein folding processes that assumes a protein can fold into its native state from any point within the funnel.
- Denaturation (biochemistry): The process by which proteins lose their structure due to external stress or compounds, such as strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent, radiation, or heat.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Folding
- Wikipedia's article - Folding
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