Identification of the folding inhibitors of hen-egg lysozyme: gathering the right tools

The unfolded state of proteins displays a surprisingly rich amount of local native structure, which appears to be critical for driving the protein to its native state. Peptides with the same sequence of the corresponding structured segments can be used to interfere with the correct folding of the protein. Using model simulations, we investigate the folding of hen-egg lysozyme, identifying its key segments. Activity assays, NMR and circular dichroism experiments are used to screen the peptides which are able to inhibit the folding of lysozyme. Few peptides, corresponding to the segments of the protein which are structured in the unfolded state, are identified to have significant inhibitory effects.