Intermediates are very important and often found in protein unfolding or foldingbpath. Sometimes, the intermediates are characterized as molten globule states (native like secondary structure and partially perturbed tertiary structure), and pre molten globule states (probably intermediate state between molten globule and unfolded state). I have seen report to use the term highly ordered molten globule description for a-lactalbumin.

My question is if there is any attempt to categorise the intermediate states observed in the protein unfolding?

Secondly, I am unclear of the definitions of this molten globule or pre molten globule state.