(Ribonuclease is a small protein that contains 8 cysteine residues linked via 4

Question

(Ribonuclease is a small protein that contains 8 cysteine residues linked via 4 disulfide bonds (RSSR). In the 1950s a scientist by the name of Christian Anfinsen was studying denaturation and renaturation processes. His experiment involved adding urea and a reducing thiol 2-mercaptoethanol. This mixture denatured the protein and broke all the disulfide bonds. After washing away the urea and thiol the protein returned to its original conformation with all the same disulfide bonds in the same locations. Briefly state the two major conclusions from this experiment.

Explanation / Answer

Results with ribonucleases led to the main conclusion that:
- Sequences specify conformation
- Primary sequence determines secondary and tertiary structure and activity.

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