A system for regulating protein dimerization kinetics is provided herein. The system includes a first polypeptide comprising a first alpha helix forming amino acid sequence configured to bind a second alpha helix forming amino acid sequence linked by a first flexible linker peptide; and a second polypeptide comprising a third alpha helix forming amino acid sequence configured to bind a fourth alpha helix forming amino acid sequence linked by a second flexible linker peptide. The first alpha helix forming amino acid sequence and the third alpha helix forming amino acid sequence are configured to form a coiled coil. The second alpha helix forming amino acid sequence and the fourth alpha helix forming amino acid sequence are configured to form a coiled coil.