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Protein Dynamics and Function

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Dynamics of Soft Matter

Part of the book series: Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques ((NEUSCATT))

Abstract

The physical properties of the neutron makes it an ideal tool to investigate the structure and dynamics of macromolecules. For biological systems, neutrons can probe motions that range from protein internal dynamics to global motions of proteins in solutions or in cells. Both types of studies can bring specific information on the way the macromolecules realize their function, at the single molecule level or collectively. We review how the different types of motion can be separated and which kind of approach is the more suited for a specific study. The coupling between internal dynamics and protein function has been the center of a large number of studies which are often controversial. We define the theoretical concepts and critically review some experimental and numerical results. On a larger lengthscale, protein diffusion in solution can be compared to the theories developed for the investigation of colloids dynamics, which can aid the interpretations of diffusion measurements in cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA Saclay, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France

    Stéphane Longeville

  2. Physik Department E 13, Technische Universität München, James Franck Strasse 1, D-85747, Garching, Germany

    Wolfgang Doster

Authors
  1. Stéphane Longeville
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  2. Wolfgang Doster
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Correspondence to Stéphane Longeville .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. ISIS Facility, CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon., OX11 0QX, United Kingdom

    Victoria García Sakai

  2. Fac. Science, Labo. Chimique Physique, Université Paris-Sud XI, Bat. 350, Orsay CX, 91405, France

    Christiane Alba-Simionesco

  3. Dept. Nuclear Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Avenue 77, Cambridge, 02139, Massachusetts, USA

    Sow-Hsin Chen

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Longeville, S., Doster, W. (2012). Protein Dynamics and Function. In: García Sakai, V., Alba-Simionesco, C., Chen, SH. (eds) Dynamics of Soft Matter. Neutron Scattering Applications and Techniques. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0727-0_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0727-0_8

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