Biochemistry Test 2 Flashcards
What is meant by the “native conformation” of a protein?
Native Conformation: proteins in their normal, functional state
What forces influence protein folding and stability?
Hydrogen Bonding, hydrophobic effect, ionic interactions
How do different R groups contribute to folding?
-Packing of Hydrophobic amino acids away from water favors protein folding
-Polar groups contribute hydrogen bonding and ion pairs to protein folding
-Individual van der Waals interactions are weak but combine to promote folding
Why is the peptide bond describes as rigid and planar?
-due to resonance between the carboxyl oxygen and the amide oxygen
-cannot rotate around the C=O bond
-partial double-bond character of C-N peptide bond prevents rotation, limiting range confirmations
What are the phi and psi angles, what carbon do they surround, and how do these angles determine protein folding?
-3 dihedral angles:
-phi: between -180 and +180 degrees
-psi: between -180 and +180 degrees
-many phi and psi values are prohibited by steric interference
-both phi and psi angles cannot both=0 degrees
-omega: +/- 180 degrees for trans
-The phi angle is the angle between the alpha carbon atom and the nitrogen while the psi angle is the angle between the alpha carbon and the carbon of the carbonyl group.
What do the levels of protein structure refer to?
-Primary: sequence of amino acids
-Secondary: describes the spatial arrangement of the main-chain atoms in a segment of a polypeptide chain
-Tertiary: fold into larger, complex structure
-Quaternary: two or more proteins together
What are the most common secondary structural forms?
-Alpha Helices
-Beta Sheets/Strands
Descibe Alpha Helices.
-simplest arrangement, max number of H bonds
-interacts with itself for stability via H bonds
-backbone wound around an imaginary longitudinal axis
-R groups protrude out from the backbone
Describe Beta Sheets/Strands
-backbone extends into a zigzag
-Beta Strand: single protein segment
-Beta Sheet: several strands in Beta conformation side by side
-antiparallel or parallel
What are the major classes of proteins based upon structure?
-Fibrous Proteins: arranged in long strands or sheets
-Globular Proteins: folded into a spherical or globular shape
-Membrane Proteins: embedded in hydrophobic lipid membranes
-Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: lacking stable tertiary structures
What are some examples of fibrous proteins and what do they do?
-Fibrous proteins are arranged in long strands or sheets
-Keratin; tough, insoluble protective structures of varying hardness and flexibility
-Fibron: soft, flexible filaments
-Collagen: high tensile strength, without stretch
What is an example of a globular protein?
Enzymes, transport proteins, motor proteins, regulatory proteins, immunoglobulins
What advantage would an intrinsically disordered protein domain offer to a protein?
facilitates a protein to interact with multiple binding partners
What disease does protein misfolding or aggregation contribute to?
-amyloid fiber: protein secreted in a misfolded state and converted to an insoluble extracellular fiber
-amyloidosis diseases: type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington disease, and Parkinson’s disease
What is the function of a heme group?
-heme group: protein-bound prosthetic group; serves as a binding site for molecular oxygen
-myglobin, hemoglobin, cytoglobin
How does the heme group bind to oxygen?
-the heme group uses Fe2+ to bind O2 reversibly
-Fe3+ does NOT bind O2
What is the basic structure of a globin?
highly conserved tertiary structure of eight alpha-helical segments
What is a ligand?
a molecule that binds to another
What is binding equilibrium?
Whar is the dissociation constant and how does that value affect binding affinity?
-Dissociation Constant (Kd): reciprocal of Ka; equilibrium constant for the release of a ligand\
-lower Kd=higher affinity