Environmental factors modulating protein conformations and their role in protein aggregation diseases

Abstract

The adverse physiological conditions have been long known to impact protein synthesis, folding and functionality. Major physiological factors such as the effect of pH, temperature, salt and pressure are extensively studied for their impact on protein structure and homeostasis. However, in the current scenario, the environmental risk factors (pollutants) have gained impetus in research because of their increasing concentrations in the environment and strong epidemiologic link with protein aggregation disorders. Here, we review the physiological and environmental risk factors for their impact on protein conformational changes, misfolding, aggregation, and associated pathological conditions, especially environmental risk factors associated pathologies.

Keywords: aggregation; heavy metals; neurodegenerative disorder; pesticide; protein aggregation disorder; protein misfolding; proteotoxicity.