allostery

Allostery is a process where a molecule, called an allosteric effector, binds to a specific site on a protein different from its active site. This binding causes a change in the protein's shape or structure, which can either enhance or inhibit its activity. Essentially, allostery allows proteins to be regulated dynamically, acting like molecular switches that respond to the presence of certain molecules. This mechanism is vital for controlling biological functions such as enzyme activity and signal transduction, ensuring proper cellular responses to changing conditions.