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
Design considerations include folding independence, structural compatibility, linker length and composition, and avoidance of undesired interactions
Applications span the construction of modular enzymes, self-assembling protein nanostructures, biosensors, and therapeutic scaffolds. The concept