Fibrous protein

2019年11月17日 下午 12:06

Fibrous protein and globular protein

• Fibrous protein
○ Long, extended repetitive sequence
○ Enables structural roles
○ e.g. collagen, the most abundant protein in human body
• Globular protein
○ Soluble
○ e.g. hemoglobin, antibodies, enzymes, and signaling
molecules

Collagen
• Collagen is a triple helix
• Glycine-proline-hydroxyproline recur
• Each strand is comprised of a left-handed alpha helix, three
of which warp around each other to form a right-handed
superhelix
• Higher tensile strength than steel
• Collagens can self-assemble into fibrils

Vitamin C for proline hydroxylation

• Sodium ascorbate(vitamin C) is required to keep Fe2+
reduced as a cofactor for sustained prolyl 4-hydroxylase
activity
• Lack of vitamin C leads to scurvy
○ Gum disease
○ Loosening of teeth
○ Malaise/ lethargy
○ Leads to scurvy as collagen cannot form

Keratin
• Keratin is formed by keratin α helix
• In hair, skin and nail
• Disulphide bridge stabilize keratin
○ The tougher the keratin, the more cysteine
involved in disulphide bonds

IASe03 Proteins Diversity Page 1

• In hair, skin and nail
• Disulphide bridge stabilize keratin
○ The tougher the keratin, the more cysteine
involved in disulphide bonds
• Hair curling acts via reduction and oxidation of keratin
• Some infectious fungi feed on keratin

IASe03 Proteins Diversity Page 2