proteinmediated

Protein-mediated is a descriptor used to describe biological processes in which proteins act as the principal mediators of function, regulation, or transport. While the term can be written with or without a hyphen, the conventional form is protein-mediated. In biology, proteins provide specificity and control through binding interactions, catalytic activity, and structural roles across cells, tissues, and organisms.

Common domains of protein-mediated processes include transport across membranes, signaling, and enzymatic catalysis. Protein-mediated transport involves channels and carriers that recognize substrates and move them across membranes. Protein-mediated signaling encompasses receptors, kinases, adaptor proteins, and G-protein pathways that translate external signals into intracellular responses. Enzymatic catalysis relies on proteins to accelerate chemical reactions with high substrate specificity.

The mechanisms underlying protein-mediated activity often involve binding affinity, conformational changes, allosteric regulation, and the assembly of multi-protein complexes. Post-translational modifications can modulate activity, localization, and interactions. Additional examples include chaperones and scaffolding proteins that assist in protein folding and the organization of signaling or metabolic networks, as well as transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression and RNA metabolism.

Relevance and research: Dysregulation of protein-mediated processes is linked to many diseases, making proteins frequent targets for therapeutic intervention. Studying these processes employs approaches such as structural biology, proteomics, genetics, and biochemical assays to elucidate mechanisms and identify potential treatments.