The Three Functional States of Proteins: Structured, Intrinsically Disordered, and Phase Separated

The Three Functional States of Proteins explores how structured proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins, and phase separated proteins contribute to the complexity of cellular life, and offers insights into their roles in both health and disease. It discusses the latest research findings and highlight groundbreaking discoveries and innovative methodologies used to study these protein states.
Traditionally, the different states of proteins have been defined based on their structures and functions. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that these criteria alone may not be sufficient to capture the complex and multifaceted properties of these molecules. Definitions based on thermodynamics and kinetics are now recognized as potentially more appropriate for comprehensively understanding protein states. Emerging evidence indicates that under physiological conditions, a majority of proteins possess the capability to exist in and transition between the native, droplet, and amyloid states. These distinct states play crucial roles in various cellular functions, influenced significantly by their physicochemical and structural properties. The book also considers the interactions among these states and discusses how their internal organization as individual molecules, as well as their collective organization as molecular assemblies are stabilized. Furthermore, it examines the processes by which these states are formed and the cellular functions associated with each specific state.

• The book serves as an introduction to a unique volume that provides comprehensive coverage of these three functional states of proteins
• The chapters are written by leading global scientists who are actively engaged in research on these specific protein states
• It presents a broad picture of the current, emerging, and evolving research on these protein states
• Given that this book comprehensively addresses both foundational concepts and recent advancements in the field, it will appeal a broad spectrum of readers from various academic disciplines

Dr. Timir Tripathi is a Professor of Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India. He previously held positions as Regional Director of IGNOU in Kohima and a Senior Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at NEHU. His research focuses on protein–substrate interactions, conformational dynamics, and the regulatory roles of non-catalytic domains. He is especially interested in intrinsically disordered and phase-separated proteins, their roles in disease, and, more recently, molecular memory, adaptive learning, and intelligence in proteins. Professor Tripathi has received several awards and is an Associate Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, India. He is a section editor of Elsevier's International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and has published five books with Elsevier.

Prof. Vladimir N. Uversky, PhD, DSc, FRSB, FRSC, F.A.I.M.B.E., Professor at the Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida (USF), is a pioneer in the field of protein intrinsic disorder. He has made a number of groundbreaking contributions in the field of protein folding, misfolding, and intrinsic disorder. He obtained his PhD from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and D.Sc. from the Institute of Experimental and Theoretical Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences. Since 2010, Professor Uversky has worked at University of South Florida, where he works on various aspects of protein intrinsic disorder phenomenon and analysis of protein folding and misfolding processes. He has authored over 1250 scientific publications and edited several books and book series on protein structure, function, folding, misfolding, and intrinsic disorder. He also servs as an editor in a number of scientific journals.