Protein Structure and Function Flashcards
The two Main types of secondary structure
Alpha-Helix
Beta-pleated sheet
What is a quatenary structure
With more than one polypeptide chain
In the tertiary structure of proteins where can hydrophobic residues be found
In the inner part of the protein
In the tertiary structure of proteins where can hydrophilic residues be found
On the outer surface of the protein
What is a thiol
The sulfur analogue of a hydroxyl group
Why are hydrophilic residues usually found on the outside of the tertiary protein
Usually for ionic interactions with water
What do we call a compact tertiary protein
A globular protein
What do we call a spindly long tertiary protein
A fibrous protein
What is a holoenzyme/holoprotein
A complete conjugated protein with its apoprotein and prosthetic group
What is heme
a prosthetic group that contains Iron and binds to oxygen
What is a Heme protein
Proteins that contain HEME as a prosthetic group
Examples of Heme Proteins
Myoglobin and a Hemoglobin
What are the apoproteins in Myoglobins and Hemoglobins
Globin
What does heme consist of?
A central Fe ion and a protoporphyrin
What is the structure of the protophyrin
A cyclic Protoporphyrin RIng which binds a central Fe ion in heme
What is the structure of Hemoglobin(Hb)
Quaternary Structure
Hb is considered to have a Quaternary tetrameric structure,
Why is that
This is because it is made up of Four subunits
Hb is considered to have a Quaternary tetrameric structure,
Name its Subunits
2 α subunits
2 β subunits
Each subunit can bind oxygen
True or False
True
Where is Myoglobin found
Found in muscle cells
What is the major function of Myoglobin
Storage of o2 in muscle cells
Also supply muscle cells with O2
What is the structure of Myoglobin
Monomeric Tertiary
What is the name of the environment surrounding heme
Heme pocket
What are the main type of amino acids in the heme pocket
Hydrophobic amino acid residues
What Other amino acid residues present in
heme pocket
Histidine
How many bonds are attached to Fe in heme
Six bonds
Name the bonds attached to Fe in heme
4 bonds from the pyrrole nitrogen atoms
1 bond from histidine at the fifth site
1 bond from oxygen at the sixth site
What are the two types of histidine residues found in the heme pocket
Proximal Histidine
Distal Histidine
What is the function of the Proximal heme
Stabilises the Heme
What is the function of the Distal Histidine
It weakens the Fe—O bond allowing it to be released, making the bond reversible
How does the distal histidine play its role in the Fe—bond reveribility
It causes bent binding hence weaking the bond
What is the function of the heme environment
Heme environment protects heme
from oxidation
Specifically rapid oxidation From Fe2+ to Fe3+
Fe3+ cannot bind oxygen
What is oxidized Heme
Methemoglobin
Does not bind O2
What is methemoglobinemia
A disorder charaterised by an increase in Methemoglobin
When can one be said to have methemoglobinemia
When methemoglobin(MetHb)>1% of Total Hb
What is the congenital cause of methemoglinimea
MetHb-Reductase Defiency
What is the function of MetHb-Reductase
It converts MetHb to normal Hb by reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+
Examples of Alpha-like globin Chains and where they can be found
α : Major adult form
ζ (zeta): Embryonic form
Examples of Beta-like globin Chains and where they can be found
β : major adult form
– δ : minor adult form
– γ : major fetal form
– ε : embryonic form
What is the subunit structure for HbA1
α2β2
What is the subunit structure of HbA2
α2δ2
What is the subunit structure for HbF
α2γ2
What are the two forms/conformations of hemoglobin
T(taut/tense)-form
R(relaxed)-form
What are the affinities of oxygen for the two forms of Hb
T-form : Low Affinity for Oxygen
R-Form : High Affinity for Oxygen
What is an oxygen dissociation curve
plot of saturation (Y) (for either Hb or Mb) at different oxygen tension (PO2) values
On an Oxygen Dissociation Curve
What is Y ( Fractional saturation/per cent saturation)
Fraction of the total binding sites occupied by oxygen
What is the shape of the Oxygen Dissociation Curve of Mb
Hyperbolic Curve
What is the shape of the Oxygen Dissociating curve of Hb
Sigmoidal Curve
What type of Binding causes the conformational change of Hb from T-form to R-form
Cooperative Binding
What is the signifcance of P50
Measure of oxygen affinity
Examples of allosteric effectors of Hb
CO₂,
H⁺,
2,3-BPG(2,3-bisphosphoglycerate)
How does allosteric Effectors affect Hb
They change its conformation from R to T-form causing it to release more oxygen at low PO2
Amino acids are weak acids
What makes them acidic at low pKa
Their Carboxyl group (COO-)
Amino acids are weak acids
What makes them acidic at High pKa
Their Amino Group( NH3+)
At what pH do Acidic and Basic R groups become acidic and basic
Physiological pH (pH of 7.4)
What is the effect of increasing [H+] as an allosteric effector of Hb
It increases release of Oxygen at tissue level by stabilizing the T conformation
H+ is an allosteric effector of Hb
Explain its mechanism
H+ bonds with some amino acids and also forms ionic bonds with with other R- groups,
This stabilizes the T-conformation, which has a low affinity for O2, hence releasing oxygen
Give an example of an amino acid that bonds with H+
Histidine
Whats the bohrs effect with relation to allosteric effectors
Binding of H+ by Hb and subsequent lowering of its O2 affinity
What is the effect of increasing H+ on the Oxygen Dissociation Curve, and what effect is it called
It shifts the Oxygen dissociation curve to the right
It is also know as the bohrs effect
CO2 is an allosteric effector of Hb
What is its mechanism
CO2 binds with the N terminus of Hb globin to form carbamate
Negatively charged carbamate forms ionic bonds with RH+ groups which then stabilizes
Also, it releases H+ when it forms HCO-
CO2 is an Hb allosteric Effector
What is the effect of increasing [CO2] on the Oxygen Dissociation Curve
Shift of ODC to the right
How is 2,3 - bisphosphoglycerate formed
A product of glycolysis in RBCs
Why does HbF have a lower affintity towards 2,3 -BPG
Because it has less Positive amino acids by replacement of Histidine with Serine
HbF and HbA which has a higher affinity for Oxygen
HbF
What has a higher affinity for Hb than Oxygen
CArbon Monoxide
What is the effect of carbon monoxide on the Oxygen Dissociation Curve
It shifts it to the left
What is the most abundant example of a glycated Haemoglobin
HbA1c
Where does glucose attach to in glycated Hb
The beta globin chain
Is glycation reversible or irreversible
Irreversible
Why is glucose mainly what glycates hb
Because its the predominant carbohydrate in the blood stream
What are the two types of hemoglobinopathies, with examples each
Qualitative - Sickle Cell Hemoglobin
quantitative- Thalassemia
What causes Sickle cell hemoglobin
When negatively charge Glutamate at the 6th position is replaced with Hydrophobic Valine in the β chain
What type of mutation causes sickle cell
Point mutation
What is the most common clinical manifestation of Sickle Cell Disease
Vaso-Occlusive crisis, which leads to pain, ischemia and infarction
What is Ischemia
Low supply of oxygen to blood tissue
What does Ischemia ultimately lead to
It leads to tissue death also referred to as infarction
What happens when sickled cells group or clump together in the lungs
It leads to Acute chest syndrome, which occurs
Why does HbS form polymers and HbA does not
This is due to the formation of clefts and exposed Hydrophobic valine which sort of “lock” together, hence polymerization
What is the pI for normal Hb
6.9
What causes the formation of HbC
The substitution of Glutamic acid at postition 6 with lysine on the Beta chain
Give a chemical that helps with sickle cell, and how it works
Hydroxyurea, it causes the production of HbF which is less prone too polymerization, allowing blood flow and alleviating pain
What is Thalassemia
A genetic blood disorder affecting the body’s ability to for adequate amount of hemoglobin
What does the severity of Thalassemia depend on
The amount of abnormal hemoglobin produced
What is the main cause of Thalassemia
It is caused by the impairment or imbalance in the production of α or β subunits
What are the two main types of thalassemia
Alpha thalassemia and
Beta thalassemia
What are the two main forms of Hb caused by alpha thalassemia
HbBarts in fetal life
HbH postnatal
What causes HbH diseases
Accumulation pf β-tetramers in RBCs
What causes HbBarts d
Excess γ tetramers in RBCs