Protein Structure = Protein Function In order to perform its specific job in the cell, a protein must fold into its proper shape
Levels of Protein Folding • Primary • The order of amino acids in a polypeptide chain
Levels of Protein Folding • Secondary • Folding caused by interactions within the protein’s backbone • β pleated sheet • α helix
Levels of Protein Folding • Tertiary • Folding caused by bonding between amino acid R groups • Opposites (positive and negative) attract • Cysteine covalently bonds with other cysteines • Hydrophobic amino acids move to the middle • Hydrophilic amino acids move to the outside
Tertiary Structure
Levels of Protein Folding • Quaternary • Individual polypeptide chains come together to form a multi -subunit protein