Amino Acids,structure and organization Flashcards
Where do polar amino acids cluster?
On the surface of soluble proteins
Where do nonpolar amino cluster?
On the surface of membrane proteins
Describe amino acids at physiological pH
At pH 7.4, the alpha amino group and the alpha carboxyl group are both ionized, so no net charge exists (many amino acids take their zwitterionic form at neutral pH form at neutral pH; positive NH3+ and negative COO- charges)
What are the properties of amino acids with non-polar side chains?
- The R group does not bind nor give protons (no acid/ base chemistry)
- do not form hydrogen bonds
- have hydrophobic interactions
Describe the Location of non-polar (hydrophobic) amino acids in proteins
- In soluble proteins (aqeous environment), found in the interior of proteins(shielded from environment)
- In membrane or other hydrophobic environments, found on protein surface
- Proline: side chains forms an imino group
Describe the amino acids with uncharged polar side chains
- Not charged at neutral pH
- Cys and Tyr can be proton donors at alkaline pH
- Ser, Thr and Tyr- polar -OH can form hydrogen bonds
- Asn and Gln contain -COOH (carboxy) and -CONH2 (carboxyamine) groups - can form hydrogen bonds
Describe the disulfide bonds(covalent) of amino acids
- Side chain ofCys contains a sulfylhydryl (SH group)- important active site of many enzymes
- Proteins with 2- SH groups can form a disulfide bridge or cystine dimer ( -S-S-, intermolecular or intramolecular)
Describe Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains
- Side chains of amino acids as sites of attachments for other compounds:
- Ser, Thr and Tyr contain a polar -OH (hydroxyl group)
- Ser side-chain is an important active site component in some enzymes
- Also, the -OH group can be a site of attachment for PO4(phosphate)
What is a function of the CONH2 of Asn?
May serve as site of attachment of oligosaccharides chains in glycoproteins (N-linked glycosation)
What is the function of the -OH group of Ser and Thr?
May serve as site of attachment of oligosaccharide chains in glycoproteins (O-linked glycosation)
Give 2 examples amino acids with acidic side chains
Aspartate (aspartic acid)
Glutamate (glutamic acid)
Give the properties of amino acids with acidic side chains
- Asp and Glu are proton donors
- At neutral pH (physiological), side chains almost fully ionized or dissociated (COO-) and carry a negative net charge
- These contribute negative charges to proteins
- R groups typically have a pk< 7
Give the properties of the amino acids with basic side chains
- the side chains of a basic amino acids may accept a proton
- At physiological pH, side chains of Lys and Arg are fully ionized and therefore carry a positive charge
- Contribute a positive charge to proteins that contain them
- Have a pk > 7
Why do histones have appositive charge?
Due to the abundance of Arginine and lysine
-DNA has a negative charge which histone bind to
What is one function of histidine?
To exert physiological buffering capacity
How can histidine exert physiological buffering?
It is weakly basic and partially positively charged at physiologic pH
In proteins, it can be positive or uncharged, depending on environment of protein, and pH(important role in proteins like hemoglobin and myoglobin)
What is the abbreviation and symbol for Cysteine ?
Cys and C
What is the abbreviation and unique first letter/symbol of Histidine?
His and H
What is the abbreviation and symbol of isoleucine?
Ile and I
What are the abbreviation and symbol of methionine?
Met and M
What are the abbreviation and symb of serine?
Ser and S
What are the abbreviation and unique first letter/symbol of valine?
Val and V
The most commonly occurring amino acids have priority for…
The 1 letter code
What are the abbreviation and symbol of alanine ?
Ala and A
What are the the abbreviation and one letter code for glycine ?
Gly and G
What are the abbreviation and one letter code for leucine?
Leu and L