What is the function of molecular chaperones during protein synthesis?

Question

Hudson Ansley · Accepted Answer

Molecular chaperones are proteins that assist the folding of newly synthesised polypeptides in the crowded cellular environment.

Chaperones mainly deal with protein folding and have a major role in preventing both newly synthesised polypeptide chains and assembly subunits from aggregating into non-functional structures. The following are some of the functions of molecular chaperones: 1) Heat shock proteins make up a large number of molecular chaperones; heat has a significant effect on protein folding; 2) chaperones can prevent or correct misfolding-related damage. 2) Foldases are a class of chaperones that aid in the ATP-dependent folding of proteins. 3) Holdases are chaperones that bind folding intermediates to prevent their aggregation. 4) Transport across membranes is a function of certain chaperones. 5) Chaperones may also help in the maintenance of cancer and the breakdown of proteins as well as bacterial adhesion activity and disease response.

Jeremiah Allen · Answer

undefined Molecular chaperones aid in the correct folding of freshly synthesized proteins, stop misfolding, and make it easier for the proteins to assemble into functional structures during protein synthesis.