proteomer

Proteomer is a term used in discussions of protein engineering and systems biology to describe a modular protein unit that can serve as a building block for larger polypeptides or assemblies. In this usage, a proteomer is analogous to a monomer in polymer chemistry and to functional protein domains, but the term emphasizes interchangeability and designable compatibility between units.

Usage and definitions vary: some researchers define a proteomer as a short, structurally autonomous region—typically a protein domain or engineered peptide segment—that folds independently and retains a defined function when concatenated with other proteomers via flexible linkers. Others use proteomer to denote a virtual unit in proteome-scale design frameworks, where libraries of proteomers are recombined to explore architecture spaces.

Design considerations include folding independence, structural compatibility, linker length and composition, and avoidance of undesired interactions between adjacent units. Practical challenges include context effects on folding and activity, expression burdens, and stability of higher-order assemblies. Tools from protein engineering, modular design, and computational modeling are often employed to predict compatibility and performance.

Applications span the construction of modular enzymes, self-assembling protein nanostructures, biosensors, and therapeutic scaffolds. The concept is related to, but distinct from, conventional protein domains, motifs, and proteoforms, and is not universally standardized. As a theoretical and practical construct, proteomer continues to appear in discussions of modular protein design rather than as a single, widely accepted definition.