Protein Structure & Function Flashcards
What structures of integral membrane proteins can pass through membranes?
Non-polar α-helices (can be single or multi pass)
Amphipathic secondary structures (membrane β-barrels)
Definition
a normal cell-surface glycoprotein that is conformationally characterized by two alpha helices and two complex-type N-linked oligosaccharide chains
PrPc
The bacterial flagellum…
Select one:
has the same evolutionary origin as Type IV pilus assembly
uses ATP hydrolysis as a source of energy for rotation
requires proton motive force for self-assembly but not for rotation
has a built-in Type II secretion system that exports rod, hook and filament components
uses Type III protein export for self-assembly
The bacterial flagellum…
Select one:
has the same evolutionary origin as Type IV pilus assembly
uses ATP hydrolysis as a source of energy for rotation
requires proton motive force for self-assembly but not for rotation
has a built-in Type II secretion system that exports rod, hook and filament components
uses Type III protein export for self-assembly
Define
Nanodiscs
a synthetic model membrane system which assists in the study of membrane proteins. It is composed of a lipid bilayer of phospholipids with the hydrophobic edge screened by two amphipathic proteins.
What are the disadvantages of protein therapeutics relative to small molecule therapeutics?
- Difficulty/cost of large-scale production
- Difficulty of purification
- Heterogeneity (inc. PTMs)
- Immunogenicity (if not natural human protein)
- Oral delivery not usually possible
- May degrade in plasma
- Reduced bioavailability: generally limited to extracellular targets
How has Insulin lispro and insulin aspart been altered?
They are mutated so that they tend not to self-associate, whcih facilitates more rapid absorption upon administeration
Definition
a large and complex molecular machine found primarily within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells
Spliceosome
Definition
misfolded proteins with the ability to transmit their misfolded shape onto normal variants of the same protein
Prions
Definition
a postulate in molecular biology that states that, at least for a small globular protein in its standard physiological environment, the native structure is determined only by the protein’s amino acid sequence
Thermodynamic hypothesis
What are the steps in protein structure determination by NMR spectroscopy?
- Express the protein; enrich in stable isotopes (15N, 13C)
- Optimise sample conditions (high conc, soluble)
- Assign the 1H, 15N and 13C signals in spectra
- Collect spectra to identify pairs of atoms that are close in space
- Use distance information to calculate a family of structures
- Iterate through previous steps to refine the structural ensemble
Define
Hit Rate
the number of active compounds per screen
Define
In silico Screening
performed on computer or via computer simulation
How do we know that effector proteins are unfolded when they pass through the T3SS needle?
The needle is a helical polymer of one protein with a diameter of 2nm, which is much smaller than most proteins so they must be unfolded when they thread through
Define
Spliceosome
a large and complex molecular machine found primarily within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells
What is QSAR used for?
Details of the role of various functional groups
Relative binding affinities of similar compounds
Models of pharmacophores for screening databases
X-ray crystallography is used for determining the three-dimensional structure of proteins by
Select one:
using radiofrequency pulses that perturb the magnetically susceptible nuclei.
using X-rays that are scattered by electrons.
using X-rays that are scattered by atomic nuclei.
using electrons that bounce off the surface of molecules in an ordered array.
using radiofrequency radiation to create diffraction patterns.
X-ray crystallography is used for determining the three-dimensional structure of proteins by
Select one:
using radiofrequency pulses that perturb the magnetically susceptible nuclei.
using X-rays that are scattered by electrons.
using X-rays that are scattered by atomic nuclei.
using electrons that bounce off the surface of molecules in an ordered array.
using radiofrequency radiation to create diffraction patterns.
Define
Amphipathic
(of a molecule, especially a protein) having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts.
Define
Bioavailability
the proportion of a drug or other substance which enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect
Define
Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR)
involves detailed computer modelling of the properties of a ligand or lead compound and the correlation of the information with activity data
Define
Van de Waals interactions
driven by induced electrical interactions between two or more atoms or molecules that are very close to each other
Define
Insulin glargine
a long-acting form of insulin used for the treatment of hyperglycemia caused by Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
How is SP cryo-EM performed?
- Freeze the sample (vitrobot)
- Place grid into a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) that has a cryostage
- Collect data
Define
Pan-Assay Interference Compounds (PAINS)
chemical compounds that often give false positive results in high-throughput screens
What is the name of the sole member of the C-chemokine family?
Lymphotactin










