prótína

Prótína is a term encountered in speculative biology and some science fiction that designates a class of proteins characterized by modular architecture, high stability, and multifunctionality. In these settings, prótínas are envisioned as foundational molecules for both primitive and engineered life forms and as versatile catalysts enabling diverse chemical processes.

Etymology and scope: The neologism blends proto- (first, primitive) with proteína (protein) and is used variably in fictional glossaries. It is not part of the formal nomenclature of real-world biochemistry and has no single, universally accepted definition outside speculative contexts.

Structure and properties: In narrative treatments, prótínas typically feature a conserved core domain that folds into compact alpha/beta structures, with flexible appendages allowing conformational changes. They may bind a range of cofactors and substrates and demonstrate resilience to varying pH and temperature, supporting function in synthetic or minimal cellular environments.

Role and applications: In fiction, prótínas drive essential processes such as energy transduction, replication, or signaling, and are sometimes proposed as units for building minimal genomes or biomedical nanomaterials. In real-world research, scientists study actual proteins and enzymes; prótína remains a fictional construct rather than an established category.

See also: Protein; Enzyme; Protein engineering; Synthetic biology; Minimal genome.