proteindringer
Proteindringer is a Danish term that can refer to ring-shaped protein assemblies, i.e., protein complexes that adopt a circular, torus-like geometry. The term is not tightly standardized and may be used to describe both naturally occurring rings and synthetically engineered protein rings.
In nature, several protein complexes form ring-like structures. Examples include the chaperonin GroEL/GroES, which forms two
Structural features vary, but many proteindringer display symmetry with six to twelve subunits per ring. Some
Functions of proteindringer include acting as gates or pores, scaffolds for assembling other molecules, and containers
See also: protein complex, chaperonin, proteasome, FtsZ, ferritin, self-assembly, nanotechnology.