proteins Flashcards
Amino Acids
building blocks of protein contain amino (-NH2) & carboxyl(-COOH) functional groups
differ from one another based on the chemical composition of the R group ( side chain )
amino acid - formation of peptide bonds
the amino group of one amino acids can be linked with the carboxyl group of another to form a peptide bond
polypeptide: a chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
protein: a large polypeptide
Amino acid metabolism
20 amino acids are necessary for synthesis of proteins
10 of these are essential amino acids ( must come from diet)
* don’t need to memorize them
amino acid pool
pepsin & trypsin digest dietary proteins into amino acids which are absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream
can be used to synthesize body proteins, hormones, nucleic acids, etc.
proteins provide up to 20% of daily required energy needs
deamination of amino acids produces NH4+which is converted to urea in the liver
ketoacids enter common metabolic pathway with carbs & fats & are converted to energy
ketogenic amino acids
- can be degraded to acetly- CoA to then form ketone bodies
- ex. leucine, lysine
Glucogenic amino acids
- can be converted ti glucose through gluconeogenesis
- 13 amino acids are glucogenic
Aminoacidopathies
autosomal recessive inherited errors of matabolism
an enzyme defect inhibits the ability to metabolize certain amino acids
cause severe medical complications
- including brain damage
- toxic amino acids or their by-products build up in the blood
newborn screening tests are available for some to provide early treatment & therapies
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
the most well know aminoacidopathy
absence of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH)
- converts phenylalanine to tyrosine
chronically elevated levels of phenylalanine can cause permanent brain damage
patients have a characteristic” mousy” odor to their urine
testing is done before newborns leave the hospital
- fluorescence of a complex formed between phenylalanine, ninhydrin & copper on a dried blood filter disk is measured
- positive results must be verified by another method
treatment : low phenylalanine diet
Tyrosinemia
3 types caused by deficiencies in enzymes in the metabolic pathway of tyrosine
Type 1
- most severe
- symptoms appear in first few months of life
- failure to thrive*, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice
- can lead to liver/kidney failure & nervous system problems
Type 2
- symptoms: light sensitivity, eye pain, painful skin lesions on palms & soles of feet
- half have impaired mental development
Type 3
- only a few cases worldwide
- treatment: protein-restricted diet, medications, liver-transplant
Alkaptonuria
deficiency of homogentisate oxidase ( HGD)
-needed for metabolism of tyrosine & phenylalanine
elevated levels of homogentisic acid ( HGA) in blood & urine
symptoms present during 3rd decade of life
- blue-black pigment of ears, nose, tendons (ochronosis) casued by a build up of homogentisic
- arthritis -like degeneration of joints
- urine that turns black when mixed with air due to oxidation of HGA
Ferric Chloride test detects HGA in urine
treatment : high does Vitamin C to sloe accumulation of HGA in cartilage
Maple Syrup Urine Disease ( MSUD)
Absence or reduced activity of branched -chain-alpha-ketoacid decarboxylase (BCKD) enzymes
- inhibits metabolism of 3 essential amino acids : leucine, isoleucine & valine
maple syrup odor to urine
symptoms in newborns: lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, failure to thrive
treatment: protein-restricted diet
Isovaleric Acidemia
deficiency of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) enzyme
-involved inmetabolism of leucine
asymptomatic patients have odor of sweaty feet
symtoms in newborns: lethary, vomiting, lack of appetite & failure to thrive
treatment : protein- restricted diet
Homocystinuria
deficiency of cystathionine ß-synthase enzyme
- needed in the metabolism of methionine
symptoms : near-sightedness, dislocation of the lens in the eye, osteoporosis, mental defects
treatment: protein -restricted diet & high doses of vitamin B6
Cystinuria
Mutation of gene responsible for the synthesis of a protein complex in the kidneys that reabsorbs cystine from urine
-elevated levels of cystine in urine
cystine forms stones in the kidneys, ureters or bladder ( reoccur throughout patients life)
symptoms : hematuria, flank pain( back), UTIs
treatment : increase fluid intake to minimize stone formation
Amino acid analysis
plasma can be collected in a heparin tube after 6-8 hr fast
urine & amniotic fluid can also be analyzed
**Thin-Layer Chromatography is the method of choice
Protein- Basic structure
proteins play a key role in every function of living cells: motion, biochemical reactions, cell structure, transport, antibodies
consists of C, O, H, N, S
Macromolecules :
contain 200-300 amino acids
range in molecular mass from 6000 Daltons to several million
four levels of protein structure
Proteins 4 levels of structure
primary
- the # & type of amino acids in a specific sequence
- correct sequence is required to function properly
secondary
- structures stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the amino acids within a protein
- ex. alpha- helix ( most), ß-pleated sheet
- adds strength & flexibility
tertiary
- overall shape or conformation
- 3-D resulting from interactions of side chains
- physical & chemical properties are related to its tertiary structure
quaternary
- structure that results from the interaction of multiple protein molecules or subunits held together by non-covalent forces