Protein is a chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds in a specific sequence.
Protein is an essential nutrient. There is no life without protein. Protein is contained in every part
of your body, the skin, muscles, hair, blood, body organs, eyes, even fingernails and bone. Next
to water, protein is the most plentiful substance in your body.
TWO GENEROUS CATEGORIES OF PROTEIN:
1. Fibrous proteins are found only in animals. They usually serve as structural entities — for
example, connective tissue, tendons, and muscle fiber. They are normally insoluble in
water.
2. Globular proteins usually do not serve a structural function — they act as transporters,
like hemoglobin, and are often enzymes. They are usually water-soluble
FUNCTIONS:
Protein has a critical physiological function. Protein is primarily used in the body to
build, maintain, and repair body tissues.
In the event that protein intake is greater than that required by the body for this primary
function, excessive protein is converted to energy for immediate use or stored in the body
as fat.
Protein energy will be used only after other energy sources (carbohydrate and fat) are
exhausted or unavailable.
Protein is vital in the maintenance of body tissue, including development and repair.
Protein is the major source of energy.
Protein is involved in the creation of some hormones, help control body functions that
involve the interaction of several organs and help regulate cell growth.
Protein produces enzymes that increase the rate of chemical reactions in the body.
Proteins transport small molecules through the organism. Hemoglobin is the protein that
transports oxygen to the cells and it is called as transport protein.
Proteins called antibodies help rid the body of foreign protein and help prevent infections,
illnesses and diseases.
Protein help store other substance in the organism. For example, iron is stored in the liver
in a complex with the protein ferritin.
Proteins help mediate cell responses, such as the protein rhodopsin, found in the eye and
involved in the vision process.
Proteins make up a large protein of muscle fiber and help in the movement of various
parts of our bodies.
Skin and bone contain collagen, a fibrous protein
STRUCTURE OF PROTEIN:
Proteins are composed of small units. These units are the amino acids which are called
the building blocks of protein. There are about 20 different amino acids which are
commonly known.
Each different protein is composed of various amino acids put together in varying order
with almost limitless combinations. Most proteins are large molecules that may contain
several hundred amino acids arranged in branches and chains.
Biochemists have distinguished several levels of structural organization of proteins. They
are: 1. Primary structure 2. Secondary structure 3. Tertiary structure 4. Quaternary
structure
PRIMARY STRUCTURE:
The sequence of amino acid residues along the peptide is called primary structure of the
peptide.
It also include the determination of the number of amino acid residues in a peptide chain.
Shows whether the peptide chain is open, cyclic or branched. Primary structure is
linear, ordered and 1 dimensional.
Written from amino end to carboxyl end that is N to C.
SECONDARY STRUCUTURE:
Primary structure shows that peptide are quite straight and extended.
X-rays diffraction on protein crystals shows that polypeptide chain tend to twist or coil
upon themselves.
The folding of the polypeptide chain into specific coiled structure held together by H
bonds is called secondary structure of protein.
Secondary structure may take one of the following form.
1. Alpha – Helix 2. Beta Pleated Sheet 3. Loop or Coil Conformation 4. Super secondary
motifs
TERTIARY STRUCTURE:
The tertiary structure mean the overall conformation of a polypeptide.
Myoglobin chain is when fully extended its length is 20 time than is width.
X-rays diffraction show that its structure is just like a foot ball i.e. globular.
The globular structure is due to folding and refolding
QUATERNARY STRUCTURE:
Formed by those protein having more than one peptide chain subunit.
Each peptide have its own primary, secondary, and tertiary structure.
The number and arrangement of the over all structure of the peptide subunit is called
quaternary structure.
For example structure of Hemoglobin.
Classification based upon Function
Catalytic Protein: These are enzyme which may be simple or conjugated. 1. Alkaline
phosphatase 2. Alanine trasaminase
Regulatory or Hormonal protein: Many protein and peptide acts as Hormone. 1. Insulin 2.
Growth Hormone
Structural Protein: Contribute to the structure of the tissue. 1. Collagen 2. Elastin
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Transport Protein: Serve to carry substances. 1. Transferrin carry Iron 2. Hemoglobin carry
Oxygen
Immune Protein: Serve in defense mechanism 1. Immunoglobulin, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD,IgE
Contractile Protein: Takes part in the muscle contrection. 1. Actin 2. Myosin
Genetic Protein: Protein present in combination with nucleic acid. 1. Histone Protein.
Storage Protein: To store protein for nutritional purposes. 1. Casein in Milk 2. Gliadin in
Wheat.
Protein Synthesis<br />is the process in which cells build proteins. The term is sometimes used
to refer only to protein translation but more often it refers to a multi-step process, beginning
with amino acid synthesis and transcription of nuclear DNA into messenger RNA, which is then
used as input to translation.
