What does chemical cross-linking in proteins involve?

Chemical cross-linking in proteins involves forming covalent bonds between functional groups, which is essential for stabilizing the three-dimensional structure of proteins and enabling interactions between different protein molecules. This process can help maintain structural integrity and enhance the stability of proteins under diverse conditions.

By creating these covalent bonds, cross-linking can also facilitate the formation of protein complexes, influencing various biological functions and signaling pathways. This is particularly important in applications like protein engineering, where cross-linking can enhance the properties of proteins, such as their resistance to denaturation or their functional activity. The formation of covalent bonds distinguishes this process from other forms of protein interactions, such as non-covalent hydrogen bonds or ionic interactions, which do not provide the same level of stability or permanence.