7. Proteins
Proteins are polymers of amino acids
Each has a unique 3D shape
Amino acid sequences vary
Proteins are major component of cell parts
The provide:
support and structural components
Several types of proteins are identified:
receptor, contractile, defense, enzymes,
structural
8. Building Blocks: Amino Acids
There are 20
different types
of amino acids
All have this
general formula
The R group is a
variable group
9.
10. Polar vs. Non-polar Amino Acids
Some amino acids are polar while some are non-polar
11. Amino acids may be either polar or non-polar depending on the composition of their
side chain
Polar amino acids have hydrophilic R groups, while non-polar amino acids have
hydrophobic R groups
12. The localization of polar and non-polar amino acids will be determined by the
type of protein and its function:
Water soluble proteins:
•Non-polar amino acids tend to be found in
the center of the molecule (stabilize the
structure)
•Polar amino acids tend to be located on the
protein surface (capable of interacting with
water molecules)
13.
14. Membrane-bound proteins:
•Non-polar amino acids tend to be
located on the regions of the surface in
contact with the membrane
•Polar amino acids will generally line
interior pores (to create hydrophilic
channels)
15. Significance of polar & non-polar amino acids
polar amino acids non-polar amino acids
hydrophilic
can make hydrogen bonds
found in hydrophilic
channels & parts of proteins
projecting from membranes
found on surface of water-
soluble proteins
hydrophobic
forms van der Waals
(hydrophobic interactions)
with other hydrophobic amino
acids
found in proteins in interior of
membranes
found in interior of water-
soluble proteins
18. Primary Structure
Primary structure is a
chain of amino acids
number & unique
sequence of amino acids
determine the properties
of primary structure
each position is occupied
by one of 20 different
amino acids
sequence of amino acids
is determined by DNA
sequence in genes
linked by peptide bonds
19. Secondary structure
formed by interaction
between amino and carboxyl
i.e. -NH and -C=O groups
weak hydrogen bonds are
formed between – H & = O
there are two types: a-helix
and b-sheet
α- helix formed / polypeptide
coils up e.g. sheep wool
β- pleated sheet formed e.g.
silk in spider web
regular repeated folding of
amino acid chain
secondary structure is
stabilized by hydrogen bonds
20. Tertiary structure
These are globular proteins
with irregular conformation
tertiary structure is the
folding up of the polypeptide
chain, secondary structure or
alpha helix
it gives three dimensional
globular shape i.e. shape of
active site
the structure is stabilized by
disulphide bridges, hydrogen,
ionic& hydrophobic bonds
tertiary structure used as
enzymes to catalyze
biochemical reactions
21. Quaternary structure
made of several
polypeptide subunits
joined together
they maybe conjugated
proteins i.e. proteins
which combine with a
prosthetic group (non-
protein molecules)
prosthetic groups
includes: metals e.g. iron
in haemoglobin, nucleic
acids as in ribosomes ,
carbohydrates as in
glycoprotein or lipids as
in glycolipids
22. Denaturation of Proteins
change in protein’s
usual regular
structure due to:
High temp
Change in pH
Addition of organic
solvent (alcohol,
acetone)
These factors break
the bonds that
stabilize the
structure
23. Protein Functions
Function Examples
Structure
Transport
Enzymes
Movement
Hormones
Antibodies
storage
– collagen/keratin/fibrin
– myoglobin/hemoglobin, bind &
transport oxygen
– lysozyme, speeding up metabolic
reactions
– actin (and myosin tropomyosin (and
troponin)
– insulin, regulate blood glucose
– immunoglobulin
– albumin in egg, casein in milk
24. Difference between Fibrous and
Globular Proteins
fibrous proteins are long and narrow strands or sheets whereas
globular proteins are rounded, spherical or ball shaped
fibrous protein made of repetitive amino-acid sequences whereas
globular proteins are made of irregular amino acid sequences
fibrous proteins are usually insoluble in water whereas globular
proteins usually soluble in water
globular protein more sensitive to changes in pH, temperature & salt
than fibrous proteins
fibrous proteins have structural or support functions (roles) whereas
globular proteins have metabolic functions such as catalysis &
transport function
Examples of fibrous proteins:
keratin/fibrin/collagen/actin/myosin/silk protein
Examples of globular protein:
insulin/immunoglobulin/hemoglobin/amylase
25. Revision Questions
Explain how polar and non-polar amino acids help channel
proteins and enzymes carry out their functions. Distinguish
between fibrous and globular proteins with reference to
one example of each protein type.
Explain primary structures and tertiary structures of a
protein.
Draw the structure of a generalized dipeptide.
Draw the basic structure of an amino acid, and label the
groups that are used in peptide bond formation.
List four functions of membrane proteins.
Giving a named example of each, state four functions of
proteins