Lecture 6 – Folding a Protein Flashcards
What is a supersecondary structure?
Elements of secondary structure - i.e helices and strands are connected by turns or by regions of less ordered structure called loops to coils
What are common motifs of supersecondary structure?
helix-turn-helix, beta hairpin, greek key ad strand-helix-strand
What are examples of helix-turn-helix?
DNA binding proteins and calcium binding proteins
What helix-turn-helix protein has a more complicated turn?
Calcium binding proteins
Are beta hairpins common?
Yes
What is the structure of the beta hairpin?
Antiparallel, length varying.
What happens in a beta hairpin?
A single strand has nothing to bond with but the other strand in the hairpin coming back is able to bond
What are examples of beta hairpins?
Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and snake venom toxin
What does snake venom toxin have?
2 beta hairpins and one other strand
What is involved in a greek key?
4 antiparallel strands
How are the strands stabilised in strand-helix-strand?
By the side chains of the helix and other strand
What do super secondary structure elements combine to form?
Domains
What are domains?
Independently folded regions that often possess a specific function within a protein
What does a protein domain typically have?
A hydrophobic core and the hydrophilic parts of the protein are arranged on the surface in contact or near solvent
What is very important for protein stability?
Hydrophobic Core
What do small proteins contain?
Usually one domain
What do larger proteins (>250 residues) contain?
May have multiple domains
What are protein families based on?
Tertiary Structure
What are the protein families?
Alpha domain family, alpha/beta family and antiparallel beta family
What is the structure of the alpha domain family?
Mostly helical
What does the alpha domain family include?
4 helix bundles
How are 4 helix bundles arranged?
Slightly tilted to allow side chains to fit tight. The hydrophobic residues are found on the interior and hydrophilic on the exterior causing a hydrophobic core to form
What is amphipathic?
When something is partly hydrophobic and partly hydrophilic