lecture 8 Flashcards
protein structure II: fibrous and globular proteins
what type of protein is an immunoglobulin?
large globular proteins
what type of protein is insulin?
a small globular protein
describe what immunoglobulins do?
1) antibodies that provide a defense against invasion of the body by foreign organism
2) mark foreign invaders for destruction by phagocytic cells
3) bind to antigens on the invading organism
4) the epitope is the actual site of attachment for the antibody on the antigen
5) lots of diversity
what is the actual site of attachment for the antibody on the antigen?
the epitope
what immunoglobulins also known as?
antibodies
describe the structure of the immunoglobulin?
its a globular protein, base structure is a tetramer, chains forms a flexible Y-shaped molecule, L is linked by disulfide bonds and the two H chains are linked by disulfide bonds
what is the base structure of the immunoglobulin?describe it?
tetramer; pairs of heavy (H) and light (L) chains, H2L2
what shape is the immunoglobulin?
Y-shaped
for the immunoglobulin, how is the tetramer linked, describe how the L and H chains are linked?
L is linked by disulfide bonds, the two H chains are linked by disulfide bonds
what type of protein structure do immunoglobulins contain? is there anything that makes it special?
both alpha and beta secondary structure; Yes, they have domains that impart special function, including the antigen binding site and constant region
on the antibody structure, what contains the antigen binding site?
the arms of the Y contain the antigen binding site, one per arm
in the antibody structure, what are the H and L composed of?
variable (V) and constant (C) domains
in the antibody structure, how many H domains and name them?
four H domains, V sub H, C sub H 1-3
in the antibody structure, how many L domains and name them?
two L domains, V sub L and C sub L
what is responsible for antibody specificity?
the variable domain
what forms the bulk of the antibody?
constant domain
what are the main secondary structures of the antibody comprised of? does it contain carbohydrates, Y/N? explain
strands of Beta sheet; Yes, these are bound to the C sub H domains
how many classes of antibodies are there? name them
5 classes of immunoglobulins/antibodies
α H chain: IgA γ H chain: IgG μ H chain: IgM δ H chain: IgD ε H chain: IgE
how is antibody class determined?
Heavy Chain Constant region (C regions of H chains) and specificity for antigen determined by
Variable region on the Heavy and Light Chains
what is IgA?
main antibody of external secretions (e.g., tears, saliva) thus serving as the first line of defense
what is IgG?
main circulating Ab in blood. Only IgG’s can cross placental barrier to confer protection on fetus
what is IgM?
first antibody to appear in blood in an immune response, some external secretions
what is IgD?
works with β cells, function not well known
what is IgE?
mediates allergic reactions
why do proinsulin and insulin fold differently?
the extra protein in proinsulin, the connecting peptide, causes the protein to fold differently influenced by the weak electrostatic interactions. If proinsulin got out in the blood it would be unrecognizable by RBC’s, so when pancreas sends signal for beta insulin to be released, the c-peptide is released and insulin refolds into final form
how is insulin released?How is it related to C-peptide?
after proinsulin is clipped, c-peptide also comes along and is released into the blood with insulin which is eventually picked up and eliminated. Insulin is degraded faster than C-peptide, which indicates the status of insulin; if no, than issue is focus on insulin production
what kind of protein is collagen?
a fibrous protein
what kind of protein is keratin?
a fibrous protein
why does insulin have a globular look?
because the globular protein has a lot of beta pleated sheets and alpha helices contributing to fluffy look; insulin has a helical look
what is a fibrous protein?
a dense network of thin strands that provide strength and stability when grouped together, bone is a good example
what are some unique characteristics of collagen?
dark (collagen) and light spots (gaps) indicating the tropocollagen molecules lined in an overlapped staggered formation with breaks. You would notice little dotted lines also called covalent cross links, covalent bonds between different tropocollagen molecules folded together;
since we are studying collagen we know the little strands supporting collagen are called tropocollagen? how are these arranged and their significance?
the tropocollagen molecule has an intertwining weaving of three individual collagen molecules and by weaving together they make a really strong rod like structure cross linked this makes the fiber strong and gaps allow for flexibility
what is collagen to mammals?
extracellular structural protein
what is collagen used to make in the human body and also mammals?
connective tissue, like tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone
which collagens form fibrils?what else do they do?
I,II,III,V,XI; form networks, associate with with fibrils and some cross membranes
what is the helical structure of collagen?
a left handed helix