Proteins Flashcards

1
Q

Objective 1: Differentiate among the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of proteins.

A

• Primary: specific sequence of amino acids
• Secondary: Recurring spatial arrangement in a 3-D space
• Tertiary: Folding into a 3-D conformation – confers specific biological properties
• Quaternary: Uniting of several proteins/protein + another structure

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2
Q

Objective 2, Part B: Four examples of globular proteins

A

• Albumin (water-soluble – hydrogen bonding takes place outside the molecule)

• Globulins (water-insoluble – hydrogen bonding takes place on the interior of the molecule)

• Histones

• Protamines

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3
Q

Objective 2, Part C. Three examples of fibrous proteins

A

• Collagen

• Elastin

• Keratin

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4
Q

Objective 2, Part D. Six examples of conjugated proteins

A

• Nucleoproteins
• Mucoproteins
• Glycoproteins
• Lipoproteins focus for clinical chemistry
• Metalloproteins
• Phosphorproteins

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5
Q

Objective 3. List eight biological functions of proteins, according to the lecturer. [DO NOT need to know all eight (8) – potential short answer exam question]

A

• Transport
• Receptors
• Catalysis
• Structure
• Nutrition
• Maintenance of oncotic pressure
• Host defense
• Hormonal

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6
Q

Objective 4. Define “acute phase reactant” (APR), and list three negative acute phase reactants.

A

Proteins that increase/decrease in response to an acute phase infection/injury

• Prealbumin (Transthyretin)
• Albumin
• Transferrin

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7
Q

Objective 5. Discuss the following aspects of nitrogen balance:

a. Definition
b. Differentiation between positive and negative balance and its impact on patient health
c. Two names for the plasma protein commonly analyzed for its assessment

A

• An equilibrium between intake and output of nitrogen

• Positive Nitrogen Balance: Intake exceeds use or output

• Negative Nitrogen Balance: Use or output exceeds intake

Good balance improves healing, etc. in patient and can aid in recovery from illness

Prealbumin (transthyretin)

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8
Q

Objective 6. Explain “denaturation” according to the structures in Objective #1 above that it disrupts and processes that may denature proteins.

A

Disrupts the bonds that hold together the protein (secondary, tertiary, quaternary) – when this occurs it loses its biological function

• Extreme temperature (> 60 Celsius or freezing)
• pH change (strong acid or alkali)
• Detergents, metals, organic solvents
• Mechanical mixing

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9
Q

Objective 7. List the two GENERAL processes which may cause total protein abnormalities according to the lecturer.

A

• Relative (apparent) change: due to changes in water volume (i.e. dehydration)
• True (absolute) change: protein level is directly affected

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10
Q

Objective 8. List causes of hyperproteinemia due to BOTH relative and absolute change in protein concentration.

A

Relative:
• Inadequate water intake
• Excessive water loss (i.e. severe vomiting, diarrhea)

Absolute: •	Increased production (i.e. malignancy)
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11
Q

Objective 9. List causes of hypoproteinemia due to BOTH relative and absolute changes in protein concentration.

A

Relative:
• Increased plasma water volume

Absolute:
• Increased loss (i.e. trauma, severe blood loss, severe burns)
• Low protein intake or starvation
• Decreased production

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12
Q

Objective 10: Define the terms “hemodilution” and “hemoconcentration.”

A

• Hemodilution: increase in body water, causing an apparent decrease in plasma protein concentration
• Hemoconcentration: decrease in body water, causing an apparent increase in plasma protein concentration

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13
Q

Define “isoelectric point” (pl).

A

Is the pH at which an amino acid has a net charge of zero

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14
Q

Discuss the importance of pH in determining the charge demonstrated by an amino acid, including the net charge on the amino acid at, above, or below a pH of 7.40.

A

Amino acids are amphoteric, meaning they contain two (2) ions within their structure. When pH > pl, NH3+ has an H+ removed resulting in a negative charge for the molecule. When pH < pi, COO- picks up a H+ resulting in a positive charge for the molecule

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15
Q

Transthyretin (Prealbumin)

a. Function?
b. Acute phase reactant (APR) properties?

A

a. Indicator of nutritional status – transports thyroid hormones, retinol

b. Negative acute phase reactant – decreases during acute stress on body

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16
Q

Albumin

a. Function?
b. Acute phase reactant (APR) properties?

A

a. Transport of water-insoluble compounds and maintenance of colloid osmotic pressure

b. Negative acute phase reactant

17
Q

List three general causes of hypoalbuminemia and conditions associated with each cause

A

Decreased production
a. Liver disease
b. Heredity analbuminemia

Decreased intake
a. GI disease
b. Starvation

Increase loss
a. Renal disease
b. Severe burns

18
Q

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin

a. function
b. clinical significance of increase and decreased levels

A

a. Inactivates protease enzymes (so that we are unable to break down our own body tissues)

b. Increased in “stress” states (Positive APR)
Decreased in juvenile-onset cirrhosis and emphysema

19
Q

Alpha-1 Glycoprotein

a. function
b. clinical significance of increase and decreased levels

A

a. Inactivate progesterone

b. Increased in “stress”, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s disease
Decreased in malnutrition, liver damage, protein loss

20
Q

Alpha-1 Fetoprotein

a. source
b. clinical significance

A

a. Fetal liver

b. Prenatal marker for neural tube defects; increased in spina bifida and decreased in Down’s syndrome
Tumor marker

21
Q

List the names of the alpha-1 globulins

A

• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
• Alpha-1 Acid Glycoprotein
• Alpha-1 Fetoprotein

22
Q

List the names of the alpha-2 globulins

A

• Haptoglobin
• Alpha-2 Macroglobulin
• Ceruloplasmin

23
Q

Haptoglobin

a. function
b. clinical significance of increase and decreased levels

A

a. binds free hemoglobin and transports it to the RES to be degraded

b. increased in “stress” states (Positive APR)
decreased in hemolytic anemia

24
Q

Alpha-2 Macroglobulin (NOT AN APR)

a. function
b. clinical significance of increase levels

A

a. functions as a protease inhibitor – helps break down of clot formed in coagulation

b. increased in nephrotic syndrome

25
Q

Ceruloplasmin

a. function
b. clinical significance of increase and decreased levels

A

a. functions as a copper-transporting protein

b. increased in “stress”, etc. (late positive APR)
decreased in Wilson’s disease [copper accumulations in the body]

26
Q

List the names of the beta globulins

A

• Transferrin
• Beta2 microglobulin
• C-Reactive Protein

27
Q

Transferrin

a. function
b. clinical significance

A

a. iron-transporting protein

b. Increased in iron-deficiency anemia and pregnancy
Decreased in “stress” [negative APR]

28
Q

Beta-2 Microglobulin

a. clinical significance

A

a. Measured to assess renal tubular function

29
Q

C-reactive Protein

a. function
b. clinical significance

A

a. sensitive, but non-specific marker for systematic inflammation (positive APR)

b. elevated in persons with CVD – strong predictor of future coronary events

30
Q

Name the five (5) immunoglobins

A
  1. IgG
  2. IgA
  3. IgM
  4. IgD
  5. IgE
31
Q

IgG

a. Function

A

a. the major anti-viral and anti-bacterial antibody

32
Q

IgA

a. Function

A

a. provide external surface protection against microorganisms

33
Q

IgM

a. Function

A

a. first immunoglobulin produced during an immune response; does not cross placenta

34
Q

IgD

a. Function

A

a. activation of B-lymphocytes, second immunoglobulin to appear during immune response

35
Q

IgE

a. Function

A

a. associated with allergic responses

36
Q

Multiple Myeloma

a. Clinical symptoms for multiple myeloma
b. Laboratory findings associated with the disease
c. The specific source of the paraprotein for the disorder.

A

a. bone pain; “punched out” lesions on x-ray

b. plasma protein increased
paraproteins present
hyperviscosity of plasma,
Bence-Jones protein in urine

c. IgG, IgA

37
Q

Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia

a. Clinical symptoms
b. Laboratory findings associated with the disease, specifically the antibody elevation
c. The specific source of the paraprotein for the disorder.

A

a. Weakness, fever, night sweats, weight loss

b. increase in IgM, plasma hyperviscovity, Bence-Jones protein in urine

c. IgM

38
Q

Differentiate the following terms:

a. Monoclonal gammopathy
b. Polyclonal gammopathy
c. Hypogammaglobulinemia
d. Agammaglobulinemia

A

a. An increase in one type of the immunoglobins

b. An increase of a mixture (more than two) of immunoglobins

c. Lack of one or more immunoglobins

d. Absence of immunoglobins