Protein Structure And Folding Flashcards
What is an amino acid sequence of a proteins encoded by?
A gene
What does the amino acid sequence of a protein determine?
The way in which the polypeptide folds and the physical characteristics of the protein.
What is the general structure of an amino acid?
A central carbon atom covalently bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom (-H) and a distinctive R group.
What are the three forms of an amino acid?
A protonated form (protonation of amino group and carboxyl group), a deprotonated form (lost hydrogen from amino group and carboxyl), at physiological pH exists in Zwitterionic form (amino group gains proton, carboxyl group loses proton).
How are amino acids classified?
According to the physical and chemical properties of the R groups.
How are amino acids joined together?
They are formed via a condensation reaction to form a peptide bond, a molecule of water is removed.
Properties of peptide bonds.
Planar, rigid, always adopt a trans conformation, the bonds on either side of the peptide bond are free to rotate.
What bonds are involved in secondary structure?
Hydrogen bonds
Where is information needed for folding contained?
Contained in the primary sequence.
How can protein misfolding lead to disease?
The change in the protein conformation drives the formation of the disease.
