Week 1 - Quiz 1 Flashcards
Physiology
The study of the function and integrative process of Life (all levels of structural complexity)
Frames function in evolutionary, environmental, ecological and behavioral context.
Aims to achieve translation of knowledge, through a cross-disciplinary approach, into human health.
Who was the father of modern physiology?
Claude Bernard
Who is Claude Bernard?
Father of modern physiology. Laid the foundation of physiology as an empirical, experimental science.
Proteins
Linear biopolymers composed of 20+ different aa’s linked by PEPTIDE BONDS
Primary AA structure
the unique sequence of aa’s for each protein
Biological function of proteins depends on
3D structure - tertiary structure
Secondary AA structure
primary structures spontaneously fold (apolar aa in core, and polar aa’s on surface). Involves H-bonds between peptide bond carbonyl groups and peptide bond amide hydrogens. Form alpha helix, parallel beta pleated sheets, and anti-parallel beta pleated sheets.
What formation comes after secondary aa structures?
Super-secondary structures, then domains, and tertiary structures.
Quaternary structure
if the protein is comprised of multiple subunits, the association of subunits forms the quaternary structure
Enzymes vs structural proteins
Most enzymes are soluble globular proteins - spherical or ellipsoidal in shape.
Structural proteins are elongated with unusual shapes and very stable structures.
Name a few important structural proteins
alpha-Keratin, Collagen, and Elastin are important extracellular structural proteins
Involve UNUSUAL aa’s (hydroxyproline) and sequences. Or they have unusual crosslinks that allow the protein to stretch without breaking.
What kind of bond holds aa’s together in a protein
PEPTIDE bond between the carboxyl group of one aa and the amino group of the other.
Where are proteins synthesized
on ribosomes from N-terminal to C-terminal
What 2 features of a peptide bond limit the number of conformational states possible for a polypeptide?
The strong electronegativity of the carbonyl O compared to the amide N causes the peptide bond to delocalize electrons, creating 2 major resonance arms. O-C=N form accounts for 40% of the structure, while the O=C-N accounts for 60%
Are peptide bonds freely rotating?
Because of the resonance, and since double bonds are always planar, peptide bonds have planar character with little bond rotation around the amide bond.
How are R groups aligned in two adjacent aa’s?
Preferred orientation is trans, minimizing steric hindrance. This limits the number of available conformational states.
What is the exception to the common “trans” preference of R groups?
Proline: cyclic side chain
In an AA chain, what are the 3 linkages/angles?
Peptide Bond: C-N: rigid and trans
Phi: N-Calpha (angle)
Psi: Calpha-C (angle)
Phi and Psi are free to swivel, limited only by steric hindrance between atoms of the polypeptide chain and R groups
What is known about spontaneous protein folding?
- Hydrophobic forces have a large role in driving folding
- Folding begins with local interactions that lead to a secondary structure. Then, close packing of hydrophobic groups excludes water - forming a DOMAIN (basic unit of tertiary structure.
- Correct and incorrect folding occurs REVERSIBLY. Correct interactions cause alignments that facilitate additional correct interactions. This increases the stability of that folding pattern.
- the most THERMODYNAMICALLY stable formation is attained due to this incremental way of folding.
What does the free-energy funnel represent?
As incremental protein folding proceeds, there is a decrease in the number of conformations present. With rare exceptions, this narrowing represents the NATIVE CONFORMATION of the protein, and the one that is BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE.
Alpha helixes are (left/right) handed?
RIGHT
In Alpha helixes, how many residues are there per turn?
3.6 residues per turn - 5.4 angstroms (Between R groups that stick out)
What type of bond holds together alpha helixes? And where are they located?
H+ Bonds:
Between carbonyl of AA (i) and amide proton of AA (i+4)
What are Hydrogen bonds?
Weak bonds due to the electrostatic attraction between the proton (on the amine group) and the electronegative carbonyl O
How to R side chains project in alpha helixes?
Radially outward from the helix axis, minimizing steric repulsion
How are H+ bonds aligned in an alpha helix?
Parallel to the helix axis.
What characteristic do alpha helices on the surface of a protein have?
AMPHIPATHIC: hydrophilic face projecting out to the solvent, and hydrophobic face projecting in to the apolar core of the protein
How are beta pleated sheets stabilized?
Hydrogen bonds BETWEEN carbonyl O and amide H of NON-CONTIGUOUS parts of the polypeptide chain.
How are H+ bonds aligned in beta sheets?
Co-planar. In plane with the sheet.
How are R side chains aligned within beta sheets?
Alternately project above and below the plane of the sheet
Which part of a protein to beta sheets usually form?
the hydrophobic core or proteins.
Parallel vs Antiparallel Beta Pleated Sheets?
Parallel: peptides are aligned in the same direction
Antiparallel: Peptides alternate in direction
Can parallel and antiparallel strands exist together?
Yes, mixed beta sheets - All are EQUALLY stable and allow dense packing of aa’s in a proteins core.
How is it possible to antiparallel beta sheets to be a part of the same peptide chain?
require a U-turn: Reverse turn, Beta-turn, or Hairpin turn
What is the purpose of a secondary protein structure?
Solves the problem of placing peptide bonds (polar) into hydrophobic (apolar) interior of a globular protein. O and NH atoms are able to hydrogen bond with each other rather than with water.
What AA affects secondary structures significantly?
Proline. Ring structure prevents it from forming a Hydrogen bond required for alpha helix/beta sheet.
Proline residues are often found where alpha helixes or beta sheets end. This is one way primary sequence directs folding.
The possible conformations of the peptide backbone are limited by what two things?
- The fact that peptide bonds (double bond characteristics) are more stable when planar and trans
- Rotation around the other bonds of the peptide backbone (phi and psi angles) are limited.
What is the Ramachandran Plot?
Many combinations of phi and psi angles cause the side chains of AA’s to clash (unfavored). Ramachandran Plot: A plot which illustrates favored combinations of phi and psi angles.
What is a super-secondary structure
A specific grouping of secondary structural elements. Secondary structures making stable associations with one another (folding on top of another)