The linear sequence of amino acids is referred to as the primary level of protei
ID: 47493 • Letter: T
Question
The linear sequence of amino acids is referred to as the primary level of protein structure. However, the primary sequence affects all other aspects of protein structure. 1) Explain how an amino acid change outside of the active site of a particular enzyme could affect the function of that enzyme. 2) Explain how that same amino acid change could have no affect on the function of the enzyme. 3) Imagine a protein in which a cysteine is converted to a serine. How would this mutation affect the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure?Explanation / Answer
1) When there is an amino acid change outside of the active site of enzyme then there is a shift in overall conformation. This shift can be as low as 1A0 but it can have a major effect on enzyme function and its efficiency is decreased manifold. In some cases due to the conformation change enzyme becomes incapacitated and its function is inhibited.
2) Same amino acid change is termed as synonymous. This means that same amino acid is specified and a silent mutation has occurred, Thus, the change will still code for the same type of enzyme and its function will be unaffected.
3) Change in amino acid i.e. cysteine to a serine will lead to a missense mutation. This kind of change can result in structural change of secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of protein. Structural changes lead to non functional or misconfigured proteins which don't perform the requsite functions and may lead to diseases.
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