Protein-protein interactions refer to the association of
protein molecules and the study of these associations from the perspective of
biochemistry,
signal transduction and
networks. The interactions between proteins are important for many biological functions. For example, signals from the exterior of a
cell are mediated to the inside of that cell by protein-protein interactions of the signalling molecules. This process, called
signal transduction, plays a fundamental role in many biological processes and in many diseases (e.g.
cancer). Proteins might interact for a long time to form part of a
protein complex, a protein may be carrying another protein (for example, from
cytoplasm to
nucleus or vice versa in the case of the
nuclear pore importins), or a protein may interact briefly with another protein just to modify it (for example, a
protein kinase will add a phosphate to a target protein). This modification of proteins can itself change protein-protein interactions. For example, some proteins with
SH2 domains only bind to other proteins when they are phosphorylated on the
amino acid tyrosine. In conclusion, protein-protein interactions are of central importance for virtually every process in a living cell. Information about these interactions improves our understanding of diseases and can provide the basis for new therapeutic approaches.
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