Figure 1.

Structurally diverse molecular chaperones direct clients to the native state.A, comparison of four molecular chaperones that differ in size, sequence, and shape. The molecular mass and PDB code for each chaperone are shown. Despite these different architectures, the chaperones all promote client folding and limit aggregation. B and C, core functions of the molecular chaperones are to suppress aggregation and promote client folding by directly binding to the unfolded state(s). While some chaperones (DnaK, green) require ATP to perform these functions (B), others (Spy, blue, and Trigger Factor, orange) work independently of nucleotide turnover (C).