ANSWER
Several mechanisms are involved in oligomerization as it involves several evolved proteins.
Types of Mechanisms | Explanations |
Genetics | Oligomeric species could be created from monomeric proteins through combination of a few genetic events. |
Mutations (Substitutions/ Insertions/ Deletions) | These basic set of mutations could affect the electrostatic or geometric properties of a surface patch, or the length or geometry of an inter-domain linker, resulting in a change in the oligomeric state of a formerly monomeric protein. |
Recombination | This could result in the fusion of an oligomerization domain to a previously monomeric protein. |
(Ali & Imperiali, 2005).
Reference
Ali, M. H., & Imperiali, B. (2005). Protein oligomerization: How and why. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 13(17), 5013-5020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2005.05.037