Hyderabad – Scientists at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have uncovered a groundbreaking way proteins work. Their research shows that proteins don’t rely only on their fixed shapes. Instead, they can temporarily shift their form to take on different roles.
The team discovered that two plant proteins, although they look exactly the same in structure, behave very differently. One of them is more flexible. This flexibility lets it interact with a wider range of RNA molecules, adjusting its shape to fit each one.
This ability to “shape-shift” plays a key role in how genes are controlled. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and advanced computer simulations, the scientists found that tiny, short-lived structures—making up just 1% of the protein—are responsible for recognizing and binding to different RNAs.
“We showed that even small shape changes in a protein are just as important as its stable structure,” said Dr. Mandar V Deshmukh, the study’s lead researcher.
These fleeting forms help proteins function in the ever-changing environment inside cells. This flexibility allows them to adapt quickly, ensuring organisms adjust gene activity as needed. According to the researchers, this finding could reshape how we approach drug design and improve plant traits.
Another major insight from the study is that altering just a few amino acids—not even in the protein’s active site—can lead to major functional changes. This highlights why scientists must study both the structure and the movement of proteins when developing new medicines.
Some proteins can handle multiple tasks—a trait known as functional promiscuity. “This is one of nature’s clever tricks,” said Debadutta Patra and Jaydeep Paul, the study’s joint first authors.
The research also explains how plants, with fewer proteins and no adaptive immune system, still manage precise RNA processing. Experts believe this discovery opens new doors in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology, offering smarter ways to treat diseases and grow stronger crops.
