noun
- A protein that assists in the folding of other proteins into their correct three-dimensional shape within cells.
Usage: technical; biology
Examples
- Chaperonins help newly synthesized proteins fold properly to avoid aggregation.
- The GroEL chaperonin is one of the most well-studied molecular chaperones in bacteria.
- Without functional chaperonins, misfolded proteins can accumulate and damage the cell.
- Scientists are investigating how chaperonins might be targeted to treat protein-folding diseases.
- Chaperonins consume ATP energy to facilitate the protein-folding process.