Tertiary protein structure noncovalent interactions

For example, a polypeptide is synthesized as a linear polymer derived from the 20 natural amino acids by translation of a nucleotide sequence present in a messenger RNA (mRNA). The mature protein exists as a well-defined three-dimensional structure. The information necessary to specify the final (tertiary) structure of the protein is present in the molecule itself, in the form of the specific sequence of amino acids that form the protein (57). This information is used in the form of myriad noncovalent interactions (such as those in Table 1) that first form relatively simple local structural motifs (helix... 

Fig. 5. Protein folding. The unfolded polypeptide chain collapses and assembles to form simple structural motifs such as p-sheets and a-helices by nucleation-condensation mechanisms involving the formation of hydrogen bonds and van der Waal s interactions. Small proteins (eg, chymotrypsin inhibitor 2) attain their final (tertiary) structure in this way. Larger proteins and multiple protein assemblies aggregate by recognition and docking of multiple domains (eg, p-barrels, a-helix bundles), often displaying positive cooperativity. Many noncovalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, van der Waal s and electrostatic interactions, and the hydrophobic effect are exploited to create the final, compact protein assembly. Further structural...

Occurs when a protein loses quaternary, tertiary, or secondary structure (disruption of noncovalent interactions)... 

Protein structure is typically classified as consisting of four levels primary (1°), secondary (11°), tertiary (III°), and quaternary (IV°). Primary structure is the sequence of amino acids in the protein. Secondary structure is the local three-dimensional spatial arrangement of amino acids that are close to one another in the primary sequence. a-Helices and P-sheets compose the majority of secondary structures in all known proteins. Tertiary structure is the spatial arrangement of amino acid residues that are far apart in the linear primary sequence of a single polypeptide chain, and it includes disulfide bonds and noncovalent forces. These noncovalent forces include hydrogen bonding, which is also the primary stabilization force for the formation of a-helices and P-sheets, electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic effects. Quaternary structure is the manner in which subunits of a multi-subunit protein are arranged with respect to one another. 

Side chains of the amino acids participate in tertiary (3°) structure, that is, they stabilize the overall conformation of the protein molecule. The forces which hold tertiary structure together include covalent (disulfide bridges) and noncovalent (hydrogen bonding, salt bridge, hydrophobic) interactions. Shapes of tertiary structure subunits can be globular or fibrous. 

The term stability can have different meanings in the context of protein formulations. A stable pharmaceutical product according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration definition is one that deteriorates no more than 10% in 2 years [25], Conformational and physical stability of a protein are defined as the ability of the protein to retain its tertiary structure [6], Noncovalent degradation is relevant mainly for proteins having higher order structures, rather than peptides. Native structure is maintained by a balance of noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, 2005 by CRC Press LLC... 

The binding of a protein to nucleic acid is accomplished by weak, noncovalent interactions. The interactions are the same as those involved in the formation of the tertiary structure of a protein ... 

Many types of forces and interactions play a role in holding a protein together in its correct, native conformation. Some of these forces are covalent, but many are not. The primary structure of a protein—the order of amino acids in the polypeptide chain—depends on the formation of peptide bonds, which are covalent. Higher-order levels of structure, such as the conformation of the backbone (secondary structure) and the positions of all the atoms in the protein (tertiary structure), depend on noncovalent interactions. If the protein consists of several subunits, the interaction of the subunits (quaternary structure. Section 4.5) also depends on noncovalent interactions. Noncovalent stabilizing forces contribute to the most stable structure for a given protein, the one with the lowest energy. 

The tertiary structure of proteins is maintained hy different types of covalent and noncovalent interactions. 

Most proteins contain more than one polypeptide chain. The manner in which these chains associate determines quaternary structure. Binding involves the same types of noncovalent forces mentioned for tertiary structure van der Waals forces, hydrophobic and hydrophilic attractions, and hydrogen bonding. However, the interactions are now interchain rather than infrachain (tertiary structure determination). The quaternary structure of hemoglobin (four almost identical subunits) will be discussed in Chapter 4, that of superoxide dismutase (two identical subunits) will be discussed in Chapter 5, and that of nitrogenase (multiple dissimilar subunits) will be discussed in Chapter 6. 

Physical and Chemical Integrity of Proteins. The primary sequence of proteins and peptides is comprised of L-amino acids linked together by covalent amide bonds. Substituent group polarity and/or charge is a critical determinant of secondary and tertiary structure and stability. Secondary structures (a-helices and P-sheets) arise from hydrophobic, ionic, and Van der Waals interactions that fold the primary amino acid chain upon itself. Most therapeutic proteins exhibit tertiary structure vital to functionality and are held together by covalent and noncovalent bonding of secondary structures (Figure 5.2). 

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