Emergence of specific binding and catalysis from a designed generalist binding protein
Yuda Chen, Sagar Bhattacharya, Lena Bergmann, G.J. Correy, Sophia K. Tan, Kaipeng Hou, J.T. Biel, Lei Lu, Ian J. Bakanas, Jason E. Gestwicki, Alexander N. Volkov, Ivan V. Korendovych, Nicholas F. Polizzi, James S. Fraser, William F. DeGrado
This study shows how a designed generalist binding protein can evolve into specific functions like a fluorophore binder and an efficient enzyme through weak, promiscuous interactions.
Nature Chemistry · May 4, 2026Peer-reviewedBiophysics