Figure 10. Overall mechanism of synergistic folding of NCBD and ACTR.

The schematic view is based on the current atomistic simulations as well as the previous coarse-grained modeling [50]. It illustrates that unbound ACTR is largely unstructured and NCBD has significant helical structures. The nonspecific encounter complexes could evolve toward the bound state through two parallel pathways. The salt-bridge network that plays a key role in stabilizing Intermediate I along the prevalent pathway is also illustrated.