The linear sequence of amino acids is referred to as the primary level of protei

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.

a. Explain how an amino acid change outside of the active site of a particular enzyme could affect the function of that enzyme. (2pts)

b. Explain how that same amino acid change could have no affect on the function of the enzyme. (2pts)

c. Imagine a protein in which a cysteine is converted to a serine. How would this mutation affect the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure? (3pts)

Explanation / Answer

(a) If amino acid change outside of the active site of a particular enzyme then the enzyme will change its shape and the active site won't bind to the the appropriate substrate. Since active site is substrate specific hence if there is a change in active site the no binding occurs and the rate of reaction decreases.

(b) If same amino acid change then shape of the enzyme won;t change hence the shape of active site remains same hence substrate would bind to the active site hence function of enzyme is not affected.

(c) If a protein in which cysteine is converted to a serine then it will affect the primary structure but the secondary and tertiary structures are not affected much . In case of quartenary structure there will be aggregation of molecules .

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