Protein dynamics under crowding

Protein dynamics in cells are essential for metabolic processes that rely on protein encounter and transport. In order to understand this process, namely, the impact of the crowding nature of the cytoplasmic space, advanced ensemble and single-molecule experimental approaches have been applied. This review summarizes recent literature by first considering the application of neutron scattering techniques that can probe protein internal and global dynamics in different types of crowded conditions. The results from other experimental approaches and computational studies are also presented. Finally, we review studies in which the dynamics in the cytoplasm are a proxy of different cellular conditions, from approaching thermal death to starvation.