Scientists have discovered a natural protein that follows a mathematical pattern of self-similarity known as a fractal, a phenomenon that has never been seen at a molecular level before. The protein, a microbial enzyme called citrate synthase, forms an intricate pattern of increasing triangles that are unlike any protein assembly seen before. This discovery challenges our understanding of self-assembly in nature and highlights the incredible potential of molecular evolution.
The fractal protein was accidentally stumbled upon by researchers who were amazed by the unique structure they observed using an electron microscope. The protein forms beautiful triangles with larger voids in the middle as the fractal pattern grows. This discovery, which was published in the journal Nature, sheds light on the complexity and beauty of molecular structures that can emerge through evolution. The protein’s pattern of self-similarity demonstrates the hidden potential for intricate patterns in molecular biology that may have been overlooked.
The study’s findings suggest that the fractal pattern produced by the citrate synthase enzyme may have formed by mistake during evolution. The researchers genetically manipulated the bacteria to prevent the enzymes from forming the fractal shape and found that the modified bacteria grew just as well under different conditions. This led the team to speculate that the complex structure of the protein may have emerged by accident because it was relatively easy to evolve. The discovery of a molecular fractal created by evolutionary processes opens up the possibility of uncovering more examples of intricate patterns in molecular biology.
The fractal protein that the researchers discovered is a microbial enzyme produced by photosynthesizing bacteria, with a slightly different structure from our own cells’ citrate synthase enzyme involved in cellular energy production. The team believes that the unique pattern of the protein evolved by chance, with no clear evolutionary purpose. This accidental emergence of a molecular fractal challenges traditional notions of biological complexity and highlights the inherent beauty and complexity of natural processes. The study’s results open up new avenues for exploring the potential for intricate patterns in molecular biology that may have been previously overlooked.
The team’s computer simulations show the spontaneous assembly of the fractal protein into an infinite pattern of increasing triangles, a phenomenon that has never been observed at a molecular level before. The researchers believe that the beauty and complexity of the protein’s structure may be just one example of the intricate patterns hidden in the molecular world. This groundbreaking discovery of a molecular fractal created by evolutionary processes underscores the remarkable potential for complex structures to emerge from simple beginnings. The study challenges our understanding of self-assembly in nature and opens up new possibilities for exploring the hidden beauty of molecular structures.
