Physical interactions that determine the properties of proteins

Abstract

This chapter gives an introduction into the physical forces that determine, together with covalent interactions, the conformations along the folding pathway, including the folded and unfolded structures. These forces also dominate the non-covalent mutual interactions between (a) two protein molecules, (b) proteins and other macromolecules, and (c) proteins and solvent. Further information may be found in the refs. (Cantor and Schimmel, 1980; Fersht, 1985; Creighton, 1993; Makhatadze and Privalov, 1993; Privalov and Makhatadze, 1993).