Conformational sampling can smoothen fitness landscapes

Summary

Conformational sampling can smoothen fitness landscapes (1). This is “because there are generally many more pathways by which a pre-existing conformational equilibrium between two conformations can be affected by remote mutations than the number of solutions that are available through complete remodeling of an active site” (1).

See also

• Modifying conformational landscapes of proteins can give rise to new functions

1.

Sandhu M, Chen JZ, Matthews DS, Spence MA, Pulsford SB, Gall B, et al. Computational and Experimental Exploration of Protein Fitness Landscapes: Navigating Smooth and Rugged Terrains. Biochemistry. 2025;64(8):1673–84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00673