HealthAugust 27, 2026
misfold
mis-FOLD
Definition
To fail to fold into the correct or functional three-dimensional shape, specifically referring to proteins in this biological context.
Etymology
The word is formed from the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrongly or badly, and the Old English 'faldan', meaning to fold. It has been used to describe the improper configuration of biological structures since the mid-20th century.
In the news
In the article, proteins are described as 'misfolding' or clumping together when cellular heat stress causes them to lose their proper shape, forcing the cell into emergency repair mode.
Understanding the science behind cooling the body down on the cellular level in extreme heat
Read the full article ↗The University of Alabama at Birmingham