The diversity of physical forces and mechanisms in intermolecular interactions

Abstract

Intermolecular interactions became an inherent part of the structure–function paradigm. Therefore, the generalized concept of protein stability and interactions should consider the balance of stabilizing forces working in different types of intermolecular interactions. We consider here two ‘extremes’ of protein interactions, viral protein with high intrinsic disorder and hyperthermostable protein complexes. Intermolecular interactions provide folding upon binding as a part of function in the viral case, while they secure and stabilize specific native interfaces as a prerequisite for function in hyperthermostable complexes. We propose a generalized concept of protein stability and interactions, which includes intermolecular interactions comprising distinct combinations of stabilizing forces depending on the types of interacting partners.