protein structure and function Flashcards
Examples of Silk Proteins
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Keratin
- Silk Fibroin
▪ insoluble, extracellular (found outside the cell)
Collagen
▪ very strong due to aldol crosslinks (covalent bond)
▪ found in all animals
Collagen
▪ most abundant in the human body
Collagen
▪ essential in all connective tissues e.g. cartilage, bone, tendons, ligaments, and skin
Collagen
▪ triple helical structure (tropocollagen) stabilized by
aldol crosslinks
▪primary structure of collagen
repeating tripeptide (Gly-X-Y) where X is usually Pro and Y is usually hydroxyproline
they also exhibit H-bonding because of hydroxyproline
Collagen
they are not α-helical; just helical
Collagen
– excessive collagen synthesis
Fibrosis
▪ overproduction of type 1 collagen in lungs reduces the lung’s ability to expand for air intake and interferes with normal breathing; scarring of lungs
Pulmonary fibrosis
▪ excessive deposition in liver leads to scar tissue formation due to overconsumption of alcohol; may lead to cirrhosis
Liver fibrosis
caused by insufficient collagen production where skin and tendons are weak and easily stretched producing loose joints and hyperextensive limbs
Ehler’s-Danlos (Rubberman syndrome)
▪ type 1 procollagen molecules fail partially or completely to assemble into triple helices and are therefore degraded.
▪ reduced amount of collagen leads to fragile bones; easily fractured
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle bone syndrome)
▪ found predominantly in walls of arteries, lungs, intestines, skins, etc.
Elastin
▪ structural proteins that gives elasticity to the body’s tissues and organs
Elastin
MW of elastin
72 kDA
AAs in elastin
Small nonpolar
A,V, L,G
▪WHY hydrophobic elastin molecules “slide and stretch” over one another
to maintain structural integrity and provide recoil
▪ elastin protein molecules are crosslinked by WHAT TYPE OF BONDS
covalent bonds
tough, fibrous, insoluble protein that makes up the skin, hair and nails
KERATIN
also found in claws, hooves, feathers and horns
KERATIN
human hair is __% cysteine;
14
the more disulfide bridges present, the _ curly
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