Proteins Flashcards
Protein Structure
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
Proteins
Comprised of amino acids (AA)
Amino group contains nitrogen
Side chain determines properties
Amino Acids (AA)
Dispensable and indispensable amino acids.
-humans can synthesize 11
-9 others are indispensable amino acids.
How are proteins made?
Proteins are created through gene expression.
AA are linked together during translation to form proteins.
Our physiologic needs impact gene expression.
-down-regulation of one thing that is not needed
-up-regulation of other things that are more important
Up-Regulation (Physiological Adaptation)
Muscle hypertrophy, bone growth, increased capillary density, increase HDL production, increased muscle LPLase, and increased myoglobin.
Down-Regulation (Physiological Adaptation)
Sarcopenia (age-related muscle atrophy), insulin receptors (type II diabetes), testosterone and steroids, and inactivity/unloading.
Supplying AAs for Proteins
Complete proteins have all 9 indispensable AAs.
Incomplete proteins do not have all 9 indispensable AAs.
Protein synthesis can be slowed if indispensable AAs are not available (rare for North America).
Quality of Proteins
Amount of amino acids
-complete protein has all 9 indispensable AAs
-incomplete protein deficient in one or more indispensable AA
Digestibility
-protein digestibility corrected amino acids score (PDCAAS)
PDCAAS
Required for food labeling.
Based on AA requirement of 2-5 year olds.
Compares AA composition of food compared to what out bodies required.
Represents the most limiting indispensable AA.
-AA in the smallest/lowest supply for a food
-about 90% animal/soy proteins
-about 70-80% legumes
-60-90% for veggies and grains
Determined by fecal measure.
Like GI, PDCAAS changes based on food preparations and combinations.
Digestibility Indispensable Amino Acids (DIAAs)
The new kid on the block.
Focused on the digestibility of indispensable AAs.
Measured in the ileum, not the feces.
Created for food labels.
Starting to switch over from PDCAAS
PDCAAS vs DIAAs
PDCAAs
-fecal digestibility
-crude protein digestibility
-1 reference = children 2-5 years
DIAAs
-illeal digestibility
-individual AA digestibility
-3 references = birth to 6 months, 6 months to 3 yrs, older than 3 yrs
Neither account for special populations for pregnant and lactating, elderly, and malnourished populations
The bottom line with protein…
Protein quality (ie. amount and digestibility) applies when protein is in short supply.
Not a problem for some populations like North America.
Whey Protein
Complete protein from dairy.
Source of BCAAs.
Complementary Proteins
Mutual supplementation involves combining incomplete protein sources to make a complete protein.
One study found this could be done just by eating.
-don’t have to find complimentary combination if you eat enough calories in a day of whole foods
Protein Digestion
Mouth = proteins crushed, moistened
Stomach = HCl denatures proteins, pepsin cleaves into polypeptides
Pancreas = proteases create olgio-, tri-, dipeptides, and amino acids.
Microvilli = peptidases create AAs
-cells below microvilli turnover every three days = means if you are low on protein, body can use these cells as proteins known as labile protein reserve