Online now: Single-molecule protein studies using scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique
Important short-lived states are often obscured by signals from more stable conformations in ensemble-averaged experiments analyzing protein interactions and catalytic reactions. To address this challenge, the single-molecule junction (SMJ) technique has been increasingly employed to elucidate intricate dynamic changes by monitoring intermediate states at the single-molecule level. This review outlines the creation of SMJs and the subsequent data processing steps. Furthermore, it discusses the broad applications of this technique in analyzing biomolecular interactions and enzyme catalysis mechanisms. Finally, the advantages and challenges of this technique are summarized, and its prospective development, promising applications, and the boundless potential for single-molecule protein studies are highlighted, serving as a key driver for the field’s advancement.
