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Do we underestimate the importance of water in cell biology?

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 7, pages 861–866 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Liquid water is a highly versatile material. Although it is formed from the tiniest of molecules, it can shape and control biomolecules. The hydrogen-bonding properties of water are crucial to this versatility, as they allow water to execute an intricate three-dimensional 'ballet', exchanging partners while retaining complex order and enduring effects. Water can generate small active clusters and macroscopic assemblies, which can both transmit information on different scales.

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Figure 1: The dependence of water clustering on hydrogen-bond density.
Figure 2: The importance of water in protein folding.
Figure 3: The importance of water in protein structure.
Figure 4: Water in the transfer of protons and electrons.

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    Martin Chaplin

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Chaplin, M. Do we underestimate the importance of water in cell biology?. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 7, 861–866 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm2021

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