HealthAugust 10, 2026
conformational
kon-for-MAY-shuh-nul
Definition
Relating to the specific three-dimensional spatial arrangement of atoms within a protein molecule.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'conformare', meaning to form or shape. It entered English to describe the act of bringing things into harmony or specific structural alignment.
In the news
In the article, the term refers to the structural shifts proteins undergo due to metabolic changes. These shifts are critical because they dictate whether a protein remains active or is disabled within a cancer cell.
Mapping how metabolism rewires protein function in cancer
Read the full article ↗EurekAlert!