Allosteric propagation results in communication between distinct sites in the protein structure; it also encodes specific effects on cellular pathways, and in this way it shapes cellular response. One example of long-range effects is binding of morphogens to cell surface receptors, which initiates a cascade of protein interactions that leads to genome activation and specific cellular action. Allosteric propagation results from combinations of multiple factors, takes place through dynamic shifts of conformational ensembles, and affects the equilibria of macromolecular interactions. Here, we (a) emphasize the well-known yet still underappreciated role of allostery in conveying explicit signals across large multimolecular assemblies and distances to specify cellular action; (b) stress the need for quantitation of the allosteric effects; and finally, (c) propose that each specific combination of allosteric effectors along the pathway spells a distinct function. The challenges are colossal; the inspiring reward will be predicting function, misfunction, and outcomes of drug regimes.

中文翻译：

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细胞网络中变构的作用未被充分认识。


变构传播导致蛋白质结构中不同位点之间的通讯；它还编码对细胞途径的特定影响，并以这种方式塑造细胞反应。远程效应的一个例子是形态发生素与细胞表面受体的结合，这启动了一系列蛋白质相互作用，导致基因组激活和特定的细胞作用。变构传播是多种因素组合的结果，通过构象整体的动态变化发生，并影响大分子相互作用的平衡。在这里，我们（a）强调变构在跨大型多分子组装体和距离传递明确信号以指定细胞作用方面的众所周知但仍被低估的作用； (b) 强调变构效应定量的必要性；最后，（c）提出，沿该通路的变构效应子的每个特定组合都具有不同的功能。挑战是巨大的；令人鼓舞的奖励将是预测药物治疗方案的功能、功能失调和结果。